title: Human telomeric DNA: G-quadruplex, i-motif and Watson-Crick double helix.
abstract: Human telomeric DNA composed of (TTAGGG/CCCTAA)n repeats may form a classical Watson-Crick double helix. Each individual strand is also prone to quadruplex formation: the G-rich strand may adopt a G-quadruplex conformation involving G-quartets whereas the C-rich strand may fold into an i-motif based on intercalated C*C+ base pairs. Using an equimolar mixture of the telomeric oligonucleotides d[AGGG(TTAGGG)3] and d[(CCCTAA)3CCCT], we defined which structures existed and which would be the predominant species under a variety of experimental conditions. Under near-physiological conditions of pH, temperature and salt concentration, telomeric DNA was predominantly in a double-helix form. However, at lower pH values or higher temperatures, the G-quadruplex and/or the i-motif efficiently competed with the duplex. We also present kinetic and thermodynamic data for duplex association and for G-quadruplex/i-motif unfolding.
authors.affiliation: Groupe de Biophysique du Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS UMR 7643, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France. phantuan@sbnmr1.mskcc.org
authors.forename: Anh Tuân
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mergny
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054856:G-Quadruplexes; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D016615:Telomere / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D004247:DNA