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Updated: Jul 1, 2025
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Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers
Published on: September 19, 2017
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Why Are Left-Handed G-Quadruplexes Scarce?
Michał Jurkowski1, Mateusz Kogut1, Subrahmanyam Sappati1,2
1Department of Physical Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza Street 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|March 13, 2024
Summary
Right-handed G-quadruplexes (G4s) are more stable than left-handed ones due to favorable backbone conformations. This insight into G4 structures aids in designing advanced nanodevices.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- G-quadruplexes (G4s) are vital nucleic acid structures involved in gene regulation and genome stability.
- Their potential in nanodevices is significant, but understanding structural preferences like helicity is key.
- The molecular basis for the prevalence of right-handed G4s over left-handed forms remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular determinants of helicity preference in G-quadruplex structures.
- To elucidate the stability differences between right-handed and left-handed G4s.
- To provide insights for the rational design of G4-based nanodevices.
Main Methods:
- Utilized all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.
- Employed quantum chemical methods for detailed analysis.
- Examined sugar-phosphate backbone conformations and hydrogen-bonding patterns.
Main Results:
- Right-handed G4s demonstrate superior thermodynamic and kinetic stability.
- Favorable sugar-phosphate backbone conformations in guanine tracts drive this stability.
- Hydrogen bonding minimally impacts stability but influences loop conformations; helicity correlates with strand direction.
Conclusions:
- Right-handed G-quadruplexes possess inherent stability advantages.
- Understanding these structural and energetic preferences is crucial for G4-based nanotechnology.
- Findings offer molecular-level insights for designing novel G4 nanodevices.
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