hTERT G-quadruplex oligonucleotide

hTERT G-quadruplex oligonucleotide refers to a class of synthetic oligonucleotides designed to stabilize the G-quadruplex (G4) structure within the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter. In many cancers, including glioblastoma, mutations in the hTERT promoter destabilize these G4 structures, which normally act as silencer elements, leading to hTERT upregulation and telomerase activation. These oligonucleotides mimic the G-rich sequences of the promoter to promote and stabilize G4 formation, thereby acting as a silencer element to downregulate hTERT gene expression. Developed by researchers at the University of Louisville, these agents have demonstrated the ability to inhibit growth in glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cell lines by affecting both telomerase activity and non-canonical functions of hTERT.

Other names

hTERT G-quadruplex-targeted oligonucleotideshTERT G-quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides