DNA G-Quadruplex (G4)

DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are noncanonical, four-stranded secondary structures formed in nucleic acids by sequences rich in guanine. These structures are stabilized by the stacking of guanine tetrads and are found at telomeric regions, gene promoters, and regulatory regions throughout eukaryotic genomes. G4s regulate key genome functions including transcriptional control, replication, and genome stability, and are implicated in diseases such as cancer, aging, and neurological disorders. Drug targeting approaches involve small molecules that stabilize specific quadruplex conformations.

Other names

G-quadruplexG quadruplexG4 DNAG-tetrad DNA

Stabilization of G-quadruplex structures to inhibit oncogene expression or disrupt telomere function