title: G-quadruplexes: A possible epigenetic target for nutrition.
abstract: G-quadruplexes (G4) are highly stable tetra-stranded secondary DNA structures known to mediate gene regulation. These structures are resolved by DNA helicases and are believed to be a causal factor in the phenotype of premature ageing disorders following mutations in DNA helicase genes. The relevance of G4 structures in ageing may be further implicated by their dynamic relationship with DNA modification mechanisms. When DNA methylation and oxidation occur at the vicinity of G4 elements, they can affect the stability of G4 structures which may in turn mediate gene expression resulting in deleterious effects on genome integrity. Therefore, the influence of nutritional deficiencies or excess on oxidation and methylation mechanisms may be contributing factors affecting the stability of G4 structures and their balance in the human genome. We propose that dietary nutrients such as folate and antioxidants may play a beneficial role in reducing G4-induced DNA damage through changes in G4 structure stability. The current knowledge advocates the importance of resolving G4 structures by DNA helicases for sustained genome integrity, and the existence of stability changes in G4 structures when associated with DNA methylation and oxidation modifications.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Food and Nutrition Flagship, Nutrigenomics and DNA Damage, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia. Electronic address: maxime.francois@csiro.au.
authors.forename: Maxime
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: François
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Food and Nutrition Flagship, Nutrigenomics and DNA Damage, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Leifert
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture Flagship, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4067, Australia.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tellam
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Food and Nutrition Flagship, Nutrigenomics and DNA Damage, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fenech
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D054856:G-Quadruplexes; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D004265:DNA Helicases
keywords: Ageing; G-quadruplex; Methylation; Nutrition; Oxidation; Werner Syndrome