Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
Published on: April 4, 2025
DNA G-Quadruplex Is a Transcriptional Control Device That Regulates Memory
Paul R Marshall1,2, Joshua Davies3, Qiongyi Zhao3
1Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia paul.marshall@anu.edu.au t.bredy@uq.edu.au.
None:
The conformational state of DNA fine-tunes the transcriptional rate and abundance of RNA. Here, we report that G-quadruplex DNA (G4-DNA) accumulates in neurons, in an experience-dependent manner, and that this is required for the transient silencing and activation of genes that are critically involved in learning and memory in male C57/BL6 mice. In addition, site-specific resolution of G4-DNA by dCas9-mediated deposition of the helicase DHX36 impairs fear extinction memory. Dynamic DNA structure states therefore represent a key molecular mechanism underlying memory consolidation.One-Sentence Summary: G4-DNA is a molecular switch that enables the temporal regulation of the gene expression underlying the formation of fear extinction memory.
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