Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
05:37
Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
Published on: April 4, 2025
Solution structure of all parallel G-quadruplex formed by the oncogene RET promoter sequence
Xiaotian Tong1, Wenxian Lan, Xu Zhang
1State Key Laboratory of Bio-organic and Natural Products Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China. tongxt@mail.sioc.ac.cn
Nucleic Acids Research
|May 5, 2011
Summary
Researchers elucidated the G-quadruplex structure in the RET gene promoter, revealing its potential role in gene regulation. This discovery offers a novel target for developing pathway-specific drugs for various human diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RET protein, a receptor-type tyrosine kinase, is implicated in numerous human diseases due to aberrant expression.
- Transcriptional regulation of RET involves a GC-rich region upstream of its promoter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the NMR solution structure of the major intramolecular G-quadruplex in the RET promoter region.
- To understand the structural basis for G-quadruplex formation and its potential role in gene regulation.
Main Methods:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in K(+) solution.
- Analysis of G-quadruplex folding topology and loop conformations.
Main Results:
- The study determined the parallel-stranded G-quadruplex structure, featuring three stacked G-tetrads and specific loop interactions.
- The core structure includes a mix of syn and anti guanines in the G-tetrads.
- Loop conformations were consistent with experimental mutation data, stabilizing the structure.
Conclusions:
- The unique RET promoter G-quadruplex structure suggests a specific role in gene regulation.
- This G-quadruplex represents a potential therapeutic target for pathway-specific drug design in diseases involving RET.
Related Concept Videos
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
02:40The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
The eukaryotic promoter region is a segment of DNA located upstream of a gene. It contains an RNA polymerase binding site, a transcription start site, and several cis-regulatory sequences. The proximal promoter region is located in the vicinity of the gene and has cis-regulatory sequences and the core promoter. The core promoter is the binding site for RNA polymerase and is usually located between -35 and +35 nucleotides from the transcription start site. The distal promoter regions are...
02:40The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
The eukaryotic promoter region is a segment of DNA located upstream of a gene. It contains an RNA polymerase binding site, a transcription start site, and several cis-regulatory sequences. The proximal promoter region is located in the vicinity of the gene and has cis-regulatory sequences and the core promoter. The core promoter is the binding site for RNA polymerase and is usually located between -35 and +35 nucleotides from the transcription start site. The distal promoter regions are...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...