title: Computational approaches to the detection and analysis of sequences with intramolecular G-quadruplex forming potential.
abstract: Sequences with the potential to form intramolecular G-quadruplexes (G4-structures) are found in highly nonrandom distributions in the genomes of diverse organisms. These sequences are associated with nucleic acid metabolic processes ranging from transcription and translation to recombination and telomere function. Here we review different computational methods for identifying potential G4-forming sequences and provide protocols for their implementation. We also discuss methods for assessing the significance and specificity of associations between the sequences and different biological functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Penn Center for Bioinformatics, and Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ryvkin
authors.forename: Steve G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Hershman
authors.forename: Li-San
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: F Brad
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D054856:G-Quadruplexes; D006147:Guanine / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D006147:Guanine