I-motif formation in the promoter region of the B-MYB proto-oncogene.

Understanding the mechanisms of carcinogenesis is essential to combat cancer. The search for alternative targets for anticancer therapy has gained interest, particularly when focused on upstream pathways. This strategy is particularly relevant when the encoded target proteins are known - or believed - to be "undruggable", as has been reported for the B-MYB oncogene.

Asymmetric distribution of G-quadruplex forming sequences in genomes of retroviruses.

Retroviruses are among the most extensively studied viral families, both historically and in contemporary research. They are primarily investigated in the fields of viral oncogenesis, reverse transcription mechanisms, and other infection-specific aspects. These include the integration of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) into host genomes, a process widely utilized in genetic engineering, and the ongoing search for HIV/AIDS treatment.

Antiparallel G-Quadruplex Formation Hinders Conversion to a Parallel Topology.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded structures formed by guanine-rich sequences. While their structures, properties, and applications have been extensively studied, an understanding of their folding processes remains limited. In this study, we investigated the folding of the sequence d[(GT)G] in potassium solutions, focusing on the impact of a folding intermediate on the overall folding process.

Synthesis of 1,10-Phenanthroline-2,9-bistriazoles: Evaluation as G-Quadruplex Binders and Anti-Tumor Activity.

Novel 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-bistriazoles derivatives have been synthesized by copper-catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition reactions and assessed for their ability to bind and stabilize G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Ten novel compounds were evaluated using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting, circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopy on several G4 sequences. Biophysical characterization led to the identification of compounds 4 a, 4 b, and 5 b as good G4 ligands of KRAS G4 sequences.