Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Gene Conversion

Gene Conversion

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...

Fixing Double-strand Breaks

Fixing Double-strand Breaks

The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A functional promoter polymorphism of SLC2A4 is associated with aerobic endurance in a Chinese population.

European journal of sport science·2014

Same author

Near-infrared absorbing compounds based on π-extended tetrathiafulvalene open-cage fullerenes.

The Journal of organic chemistry·2014

Same author

Synthesis of oxidized glycerol monooleate-chitosan polymer and its hydrogel formation for sustained release of trimetazidine hydrochloride.

International journal of pharmaceutics·2014

Same author

Site-differentiated polyboron arenes prepared by direct C-H borylation and their highly selective Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2014

Same author

Artificial peptides conjugated with cholesterol and pocket-specific small molecules potently inhibit infection by laboratory-adapted and primary HIV-1 isolates and enfuvirtide-resistant HIV-1 strains.

The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy·2014

Same author

Aberrantly expressed lncRNAs in primary varicose great saphenous veins.

PloS one·2014

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: September 19, 2017

Human telomeric G-quadruplexes undergo dynamic conversion in a molecular crowding environment.

Liang Xu¹, Shuo Feng, Xiang Zhou

¹College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Hubei, Wuhan, 430072, PR China.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)

|February 11, 2011

Summary

This study reveals the dynamic conversion pathway of human telomeric G-quadruplexes in a molecular crowding environment. It offers insights into telomeric DNA behavior under physiological conditions.

More Related Videos

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

Published on: April 4, 2025

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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: September 19, 2017

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

Published on: April 4, 2025

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

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Human telomeres are crucial for chromosome stability.
Telomeric DNA can form G-quadruplex structures.
Understanding G-quadruplex dynamics is vital for comprehending DNA stability and function.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the dynamic conversion pathway of human telomeric G-quadruplexes.
To elucidate the step-by-step transformation of a long DNA sequence with two G-quadruplex units.
To explore the influence of a molecular crowding environment on these dynamics.

Main Methods:

Utilized K+ solution to mimic physiological ionic conditions.
Employed techniques to observe dynamic structural conversions.
Analyzed a long DNA sequence containing two G-quadruplex units.

Main Results:

Provided novel insights into the dynamic conversion of human telomeric G-quadruplexes.
Detailed a step-to-step transformation pathway for a specific long G-quadruplex sequence.
Demonstrated the impact of molecular crowding on G-quadruplex behavior.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest a possible behavior of human telomeric DNA under physiological conditions.
The study enhances understanding of G-quadruplex dynamics in complex cellular environments.
This research contributes to the knowledge of telomere biology and potential therapeutic targets.