Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
Published on: April 4, 2025
G-Quadruplexes in RNA Biology: Recent Advances and Future Directions
Leïla Dumas1, Pauline Herviou1, Erik Dassi2
1Cancer Research Centre of Toulouse, INSERM UMR 1037, 31037 Toulouse, France; Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, 31330 Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
RNA G-quadruplexes (RG4s) are four-stranded structures known to control gene expression mechanisms, from transcription to protein synthesis, and DNA-related processes. Their potential impact on RNA biology allows these structures to shape cellular processes relevant to disease development, making their targeting for therapeutic purposes an attractive option. We review here the current knowledge on RG4s, focusing on the latest breakthroughs supporting the notion of transient structures that fluctuate dynamically in cellulo, their interplay with RNA modifications, their role in cell compartmentalization, and their deregulation impacting the host immune response. We emphasize RG4-binding proteins as determinants of their transient conformation and effectors of their biological functions.
Related Concept Videos
RNA-seq
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while...
RNA Structure
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...
RNA Structure
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Ribosome Profiling
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
Bacterial Transcription
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:

