Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Shiekh, Sajad
• Kodikara, Sineth G.
• Balci, Hamza

Titel

Structure, Topology, and Stability of Multiple G-quadruplexes in Long Telomeric Overhangs

Ist Teil von

• Journal of molecular biology, 2024-01, Vol.436 (1), p.168205-168205, Article 168205

Ort / Verlag

Netherlands: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2024

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• [Display omitted] •Review of structural features of telomeric overhangs.•Review of impact of telomeric sequence, liquid–liquid phase separation, and chromatin structure on telomere structure and function.•Review of small molecules that stabilize G-quadruplexes.•Review of ensemble and single molecule studies on telomeric overhangs of physiologically relevant lengths to probe the structure of tandem G-quadruplexes and potential interactions between them. Telomeres and their single stranded overhangs gradually shorten with successive cell divisions, as part of the natural aging process, but can be elongated by telomerase, a nucleoprotein complex which is activated in the majority of cancers. This prominent implication in cancer and aging has made the repetitive telomeric sequences (TTAGGG repeats) and the G-quadruplex structures that form in their overhangs the focus of intense research in the past several decades. However, until recently most in vitro efforts to understand the structure, stability, dynamics, and interactions of telomeric overhangs had been focused on short sequences that are not representative of longer sequences encountered in a physiological setting. In this review, we will provide a broad perspective about telomeres and associated factors, and introduce the agents and structural characteristics involved in organizing, maintaining, and protecting telomeric DNA. We will also present a summary of recent research performed on long telomeric sequences, nominally defined as those that can form two or more tandem G-quadruplexes, i.e., which contain eight or more TTAGGG repeats. Results of experimental studies using a broad array of experimental tools, in addition to recent computational efforts will be discussed, particularly in terms of their implications for the stability, folding topology, and compactness of the tandem G-quadruplexes that form in long telomeric overhangs.