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Updated: May 14, 2026

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
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Quantitative visualization of DNA G-quadruplex structures in human cells.

Giulia Biffi1, David Tannahill, John McCafferty

  • 1Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.

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|February 21, 2013
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Summary

Engineered antibodies visualize G-quadruplex DNA structures in human cells, showing cell-cycle modulation and stabilization by ligands. This confirms G-quadruplexes form in mammalian genomes and can be targeted therapeutically.

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Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers
08:28

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: September 19, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Four-stranded G-quadruplex nucleic acid structures possess high thermodynamic stability.
  • Their stability suggests potential formation within cells under physiological conditions.
  • Visualizing and quantifying these structures in vivo is crucial for understanding their biological roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To generate and utilize a structure-specific antibody for visualizing DNA G-quadruplexes in human cells.
  • To investigate the modulation of G-quadruplex formation during the cell cycle.
  • To assess the efficacy of small-molecule ligands in stabilizing endogenous G-quadruplex structures.

Main Methods:

  • Development of an engineered, structure-specific antibody against G-quadruplex DNA.
  • Quantitative visualization of DNA G-quadruplex structures within human cells.
  • Analysis of G-quadruplex formation dynamics during cell-cycle progression.
  • Treatment with small-molecule ligands to stabilize G-quadruplex structures.

Main Results:

  • Successfully generated and applied an antibody for quantitative visualization of DNA G-quadruplexes in human cells.
  • Demonstrated that G-quadruplex formation in DNA is modulated during cell-cycle progression.
  • Showed that endogenous G-quadruplex DNA structures can be stabilized by a small-molecule ligand.

Conclusions:

  • Provided substantive evidence for the formation of G-quadruplex structures in the genome of mammalian cells.
  • Corroborated the application of stabilizing ligands for targeting G-quadruplexes in a cellular context.
  • These findings support the potential of targeting G-quadruplexes to intervene with their cellular functions.