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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

A G-quadruplex DNA-affinity Approach for Purification of Enzymatically Active G4 Resolvase1

A G-quadruplex DNA-affinity Approach for Purification of Enzymatically Active G4 Resolvase1

Published on: March 18, 2017

Human telomeric DNA sequence-specific cleaving by G-quadruplex formation.

Yan Xu¹, Yuta Suzuki, Tuomas Lönnberg

¹Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan. xuyan@mkomi.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Journal of the American Chemical Society

|February 13, 2009

Summary

Researchers developed a novel method to target human telomere DNA using G-quadruplex formation. This approach enables sequence-specific DNA cleavage, offering a new strategy for cancer treatment development.

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Published on: September 19, 2017

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Telomeres, protective caps on chromosome ends, are crucial in cancer biology.
Telomere dysfunction is implicated in cancer progression and aging.
Targeting telomeres presents a promising strategy for anti-cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate a structure-based approach for sequence-specific cleavage of human telomeric DNA.
To explore the potential of G-quadruplex formation in targeting telomeres.
To establish a proof of concept for novel telomere-targeting reagents.

Main Methods:

Utilizing an oligonucleotide with a multiphosphonate [DNA-EDTP.Ce(IV)] at the 5' end.
Employing G-quadruplex formation to bind human telomere DNA.
Inducing sequence-specific DNA strand breaks via the designed oligonucleotide.

Main Results:

The [DNA-EDTP.Ce(IV)] oligonucleotide successfully binds to human telomere DNA through G-quadruplex formation.
Sequence-specific cleavage of human telomeric DNA was achieved.
This study provides the first evidence for targeting human telomere DNA via G-quadruplex formation.

Conclusions:

The developed method demonstrates a novel strategy for sequence-specific telomere DNA cleavage.
G-quadruplex formation is a viable mechanism for targeting telomeric DNA.
This work serves as a foundation for designing advanced telomere-cleaving agents for cancer therapy.