title: The development and use of a DNA polymerase arrest assay for the evaluation of parameters affecting intrastrand tetraplex formation.
abstract: We show here that a K+-dependent block to DNA synthesis is a sensitive and specific indicator of intrastrand tetraplex formation that can be used, both to identify sequences with tetraplex-forming potential and to examine parameters that affect tetraplex formation. We show that tetraplex formation is determined by a complex combination of factors including the size and base composition of its constituent loops and stems. In the process of carrying out this study we have found that the number of sequences with the ability to form tetraplexes is larger than previously thought, and that such sequences are ubiquitous in eukaryote genomes.
authors.affiliation: Section on Genomic Structure and Function, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0830, USA.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Weitzmann
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Woodford
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usdin
mesh_terms: D001482:Base Composition; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation / Q000187:drug effects; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry; D013463:Sulfuric Acid Esters / Q000737:chemistry; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D013463:Sulfuric Acid Esters; D004247:DNA; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; C007482:dimethyl sulfate; D011188:Potassium