Biophysical characterization of the human telomeric (TTAGGG)4 repeat in a potassium solution.

Quadruplex structures arise from four coplanar G bases arranged in a Hoogsteen base pairing motif to create a central pore that can coordinate cations. The termini of eukaryotic chromosomes contain structures, known as telomeres, which are capable of forming quadruplex structures. Quadruplexes have been implicated in a variety of disease states, including cancer.