Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

11:25
A G-quadruplex DNA-affinity Approach for Purification of Enzymatically Active G4 Resolvase1
Published on: March 18, 2017
Human cathelicidin peptide LL37 binds telomeric G-quadruplex.
Jagannath Jana1, Rajiv Kumar Kar, Anirban Ghosh
1Biomolecular NMR and Drug Design Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata, India.
Molecular Biosystems
|May 3, 2013
Summary
The antimicrobial peptide LL37 binds to G-quadruplex structures, which can inhibit telomerase activity in cancer cells. This finding suggests LL37 as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Antimicrobial Peptides
Background:
- Telomerase is a key enzyme in cancer cell proliferation.
- G-quadruplex structures are potential targets for cancer therapy.
- Host defense peptides have diverse biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between LL37 and G-quadruplex structures.
- To determine if LL37 binding to G-quadruplexes affects telomerase activity.
Main Methods:
- G-quadruplex binding assays.
- Telomerase activity assays.
Main Results:
- LL37 was identified as a potent binder of G-quadruplex structures.
- Stabilization of G-quadruplex by LL37 inhibits telomerase activity.
Conclusions:
- LL37 shows potential as a G-quadruplex stabilizer.
- LL37 represents a promising therapeutic candidate for targeting telomerase in cancer.
Related Concept Videos
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.
Replication in Eukaryotes
Overview
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...
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
DNA Helicases
DNA unwinding helicase enzymes are a type of motor protein. Motor proteins can translocate along filaments or polymers using energy generated from ATP hydrolysis. Helicases are involved in all the important cellular processes where DNA unwinding is required, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. They are present in all living organisms, but vary in their structure, function, and mechanism of action. For example, in prokaryotes, DnaB helicase binds and translocates...
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...

