G-wires: self-assembly of a telomeric oligonucleotide, d(GGGGTTGGGG), into large superstructures.
The telomeric DNA oligonucleotide 5'-G4T2G4-3' (Tet 1.5) spontaneously assembles into large superstructures we have termed G-wires. G-wires can be resolved by gel electrophoresis as a ladder pattern. The self-association of Tet 1.5 is noncovalent and exhibits characteristics of G4-DNA, a parallel four-stranded structure stabilized by guanine tetrads. Formation of G-wires is dependent upon the presence of Na+ and/or K+, and once formed, G-wires are resistant to denaturation. The results described here extend our understanding of the structural potential of G-rich nucleic acids and may provide insight into the possible roles of G-rich sequences and the novel structures they can form in biological systems.
Marsh
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Department of Zoology and Genetics, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
Henderson
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D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry*; D016615:Telomere / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016808:Tetrahymena thermophila
D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides