High-resolution AFM structure of DNA G-wires in aqueous solution.

We investigate the self-assembly of short pieces of the Tetrahymena telomeric DNA sequence d[GTG] in physiologically relevant aqueous solution using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Wire-like structures (G-wires) of 3.0 nm height with well-defined surface periodic features were observed.

Ball with hair: modular functionalization of highly stable G-quadruplex DNA nano-scaffolds through N2-guanine modification.

Functionalized nanoparticles have seen valuable applications, particularly in the delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents in biological systems. However, the manufacturing of such nano-scale systems with the consistency required for biological application can be challenging, as variation in size and shape have large influences in nanoparticle behavior in vivo. We report on the development of a versatile nano-scaffold based on the modular functionalization of a DNA G-quadruplex.

Structure and possible function of a G-quadruplex in the long terminal repeat of the proviral HIV-1 genome.

The long terminal repeat (LTR) of the proviral human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 genome is integral to virus transcription and host cell infection. The guanine-rich U3 region within the LTR promoter, previously shown to form G-quadruplex structures, represents an attractive target to inhibit HIV transcription and replication. In this work, we report the structure of a biologically relevant G-quadruplex within the LTR promoter region of HIV-1.

Inverting the G-Tetrad Polarity of a G-Quadruplex by Using Xanthine and 8-Oxoguanine.

G-quadruplexes are four-stranded nucleic acid structures that are built from consecutively stacked guanine tetrad (G-tetrad) assemblies. The simultaneous incorporation of two guanine base lesions, xanthine (X) and 8-oxoguanine (O), within a single G-tetrad of a G-quadruplex was recently shown to lead to the formation of a stable G⋅G⋅X⋅O tetrad. Herein, a judicious introduction of X and O into a human telomeric G-quadruplex-forming sequence is shown to reverse the hydrogen-bond polarity of the modified G-tetrad while preserving the original folding topology.

Xanthine and 8-oxoguanine in G-quadruplexes: formation of a G·G·X·O tetrad.

G-quadruplexes are four-stranded structures built from stacked G-tetrads (G·G·G·G), which are planar cyclical assemblies of four guanine bases interacting through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds. A G-quadruplex containing a single guanine analog substitution, such as 8-oxoguanine (O) or xanthine (X), would suffer from a loss of a Hoogsteen hydrogen bond within a G-tetrad and/or potential steric hindrance. We show that a proper arrangement of O and X bases can reestablish the hydrogen-bond pattern within a G·G·X·O tetrad.

Influence of base stacking geometry on the nature of excited states in G-quadruplexes: a time-dependent DFT study.

G-quadruplexes are four-stranded structures of nucleic acids that are formed from the association of guanine nucleobases into cyclical arrangements known as tetrads. G-quadruplexes are involved in a host of biological processes and are of interest in nanomaterial applications. However, not much is known about their electronic properties.

Structure and conformational dynamics of a stacked dimeric G-quadruplex formed by the human CEB1 minisatellite.

CEB1 is a highly polymorphic human minisatellite. In yeast, the size variation of CEB1 tandem arrays has been associated with the capacity of the motif to form G-quadruplexes. Here we report on the NMR solution structure of a G-quadruplex formed by the CEB1 DNA G-rich fragment d(AGGGGGGAGGGAGGGTGG), harboring several G-tracts including one with six continuous guanines.

Sugar-modified G-quadruplexes: effects of LNA-, 2'F-RNA- and 2'F-ANA-guanosine chemistries on G-quadruplex structure and stability.

G-quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides containing modified nucleotide chemistries have demonstrated promising pharmaceutical potential. In this work, we systematically investigate the effects of sugar-modified guanosines on the structure and stability of a (4+0) parallel and a (3+1) hybrid G-quadruplex using over 60 modified sequences containing a single-position substitution of 2'-O-4'-C-methylene-guanosine ((LNA)G), 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-riboguanosine ((F)G) or 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-arabinoguanosine ((FANA)G). Our results are summarized in two parts: (I) Generally, (LNA)G substitutions into 'anti' position guanines within a guanine-tetrad lead to a more stable G-quadruplex, while substitutions into 'syn' positions disrupt the native G-quadruplex conformation.

Electron-hole transfer in G-quadruplexes with different tetrad stacking geometries: a combined QM and MD study.

G-quadruplex nucleic acids represent a unique avenue for the building of electrically conductive wires. These four-stranded structures are formed through the stacking of multiple planar guanine assemblies termed G-tetrads. The diverse folding patterns of G-quadruplexes allow for several geometries to be adopted by stacked guanine bases within the core and at the dimeric interface of these structures.

Guanine base stacking in G-quadruplex nucleic acids.

G-quadruplexes constitute a class of nucleic acid structures defined by stacked guanine tetrads (or G-tetrads) with guanine bases from neighboring tetrads stacking with one another within the G-tetrad core. Individual G-quadruplexes can also stack with one another at their G-tetrad interface leading to higher-order structures as observed in telomeric repeat-containing DNA and RNA. In this study, we investigate how guanine base stacking influences the stability of G-quadruplexes and their stacked higher-order structures.

2'-F-ANA-guanosine and 2'-F-guanosine as powerful tools for structural manipulation of G-quadruplexes.

Here we demonstrate the applicability of 2'-F-ANA-guanosine and 2'-F-guanosine as powerful tools for manipulating G-quadruplex folding by anti-position-favoring substitutions. A single guanine to 2'-F-ANA-guanine substitution can favor a single (3+1) hybrid conformation from a mixture of conformers. Rational substitutions of either type of 2'-F-modified nucleotide enable conformational switching from a (3+1) hybrid to a parallel folding topology.

Effects of site-specific guanine C8-modifications on an intramolecular DNA G-quadruplex.

Understanding the fundamentals of G-quadruplex formation is important both for targeting G-quadruplexes formed by natural sequences and for engineering new G-quadruplexes with desired properties. Using a combination of experimental and computational techniques, we have investigated the effects of site-specific substitution of a guanine with C8-modified guanine derivatives, including 8-bromo-guanine, 8-O-methyl-guanine, 8-amino-guanine, and 8-oxo-guanine, within a well-defined (3 + 1) human telomeric G-quadruplex platform. The effects of substitutions on the stability of the G-quadruplex were found to depend on the type and position of the modification among different guanines in the structure.