Metal Cations in G-Quadruplex Folding and Stability.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Structural Biology
• Molecular Biophysics

Background:

• G-Quadruplexes (GQ) are non-canonical secondary structures in DNA and RNA.
• GQs play vital roles in regulating biochemical processes.
• Monovalent cation coordination is essential for GQ formation, stability, and polymorphism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the structural and physicochemical aspects of metal cation coordination to G-Quadruplexes.
• To explore the effects of cation coordination on GQ stability and conformation.
• To discuss the factors influencing cation binding and their impact on GQ structures.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing biochemical and biophysical studies.
• Analysis of factors like ionic radii, hydration energy, and bonding strength.
• Examination of intracellular and localized cation concentrations.

Main Results:

• Cation coordination significantly impacts GQ stability and can dictate their regulatory roles.
• Physiologically relevant metal ions' effects on GQ stability can often be predicted.
• Predicting the specific conformation of GQs remains challenging.

Conclusions:

• Metal cation coordination is a key determinant of G-Quadruplex structure and function.
• While GQ stability prediction is advancing, conformational prediction requires further research.
• Understanding cation-GQ interactions is vital for elucidating GQ's biological roles.