Structure of two intramolecular G-quadruplexes formed by natural human telomere sequences in K+ solution

Nucleic Acids Res. 2007;35(19):6517-25. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkm706. Epub 2007 Sep 25.

Abstract

Intramolecular G-quadruplexes formed by human telomere sequences are attractive anticancer targets. Recently, four-repeat human telomere sequences have been shown to form two different intramolecular (3 + 1) G-quadruplexes in K(+) solution (Form 1 and Form 2). Here we report on the solution structures of both Form 1 and Form 2 adopted by natural human telomere sequences. Both structures contain the (3 + 1) G-tetrad core with one double-chain-reversal and two edgewise loops, but differ in the successive order of loop arrangements within the G-quadruplex scaffold. Our results provide the structural details at the two ends of the G-tetrad core in the context of natural sequences and information on different loop conformations. This structural information might be important for our understanding of telomere G-quadruplex structures and for anticancer drug design targeted to such scaffolds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cations
  • DNA / chemistry
  • G-Quadruplexes*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Potassium / chemistry
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Solutions
  • Telomere / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cations
  • Solutions
  • DNA
  • Potassium

Associated data

  • PDB/2JSK
  • PDB/2JSL
  • PDB/2JSM
  • PDB/2JSQ