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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
Published on: April 4, 2025
DNA loop sequence as the determinant for chiral supramolecular compound G-quadruplex selectivity.
Haijia Yu1, Chuanqi Zhao, Yong Chen
1Division of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China.
Chiral supramolecular complexes selectively bind G-quadruplex DNA. DNA loop sequences, particularly adenine, dictate this selectivity, influencing G-quadruplex structural transitions and showing potential in cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Developing G-quadruplex binding agents requires discriminating between different quadruplex structures.
- Chiral supramolecular complexes offer potential for selective G-quadruplex stabilization.
- Previous work identified a chiral complex stabilizing human telomeric G-quadruplex and showing enantiomer-specific telomerase inhibition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of DNA loop sequences in chiral complex G-quadruplex selectivity.
- To explore the impact of adenine in the diagonal loop on DNA structural transitions.
- To evaluate the differential effects of chiral complex enantiomers on cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Investigating the influence of DNA loop sequences on chiral complex-G-quadruplex interactions.
- Analyzing the role of adenine in diagonal loops for G-quadruplex hybrid structural transitions.
- Assessing the effects of the P enantiomer on cancer cells, including telomere shortening and biomarker analysis.
Main Results:
- DNA loop sequences, specifically adenine in the diagonal loop, are critical determinants of chiral complex G-quadruplex selectivity.
- Adenine influences chiral complex-induced DNA structural transitions.
- The P enantiomer demonstrated chiral selectivity in cancer cells, inducing telomere shortening and up-regulating p16 and p21.
Conclusions:
- DNA loop sequence is a key factor in achieving chiral complex selectivity for G-quadruplex DNA.
- The P enantiomer of the chiral complex exhibits selective anti-cancer effects.
- This selectivity offers a promising avenue for developing targeted cancer therapeutics.
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