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Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
Published on: April 4, 2025
Unusual topological RNA G-quadruplex formed by an RNA duplex: implications for the dimerization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA
Shiyu Wang1, Yi Song1, Zhiyong He1
1Division of Chemistry, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan. xuyan@med.miyazaki-u.ac.jp.
Abstract:
The infectious disease coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) is caused by a virus that has RNA as its genetic material. To understand the detailed structural features of SARS-COV-2 RNA, we probed the RNA structure by NMR. Two RNA sequences form a duplex and self-associate to form a dimeric G-quadruplex. The FrG nucleoside was employed as a 19F sensor to confirm the RNA structure in cells by 19F NMR. A FRET assay further demonstrated that the dimeric G-quadruplex resulted in RNA dimerization in cells. These results provide the basis for the elucidation of SARS-COV-2 RNA function, which provides new insights into developing novel antiviral drugs against SARS-COV-2.
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