Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
05:37

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

Published on: April 4, 2025

361

G-quadruplex DNA and RNA in cellular senescence

Rocio Diaz Escarcega1, Paul Marshall2, Andrey S Tsvetkov1,3,4

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States.

Frontiers in Aging
|October 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cellular senescence, a key aging process, is influenced by G-quadruplex (G4) DNA and RNA structures. Targeting G4s offers potential for anti-aging therapies and understanding sex differences in age-related diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Cellular senescence is a permanent cell-cycle arrest state linked to aging.
  • Molecular mechanisms of senescence are widely studied, but the role of G-quadruplexes (G4s) is under-explored.
  • G4 structures in DNA and RNA regulate fundamental cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of G-quadruplex (G4) DNA and RNA in mediating cellular senescence.
  • To highlight G4 contributions to sex differences in age-associated diseases.
  • To explore G4 manipulation for anti-aging strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on G-quadruplexes and cellular senescence.
  • Analysis of G4 roles in transcription, replication, translation, and genomic stability.
  • Examination of G4 involvement in age-related diseases and sex differences.

Main Results:

  • G4 structures are implicated in regulating senescent phenotypes.
  • G4s influence key cellular processes and can contribute to genomic instability.
  • G4s play a role in sex-specific aging phenotypes and diseases.

Conclusions:

  • G-quadruplexes are significant regulators of cellular senescence.
  • Targeting G4 structures presents a promising avenue for anti-aging interventions.
  • Understanding G4s can elucidate sex differences in aging and disease.
Keywords:
DNA and RNAG-quadruplexage-associated diseaseagingsenescence

More Related Videos

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence06:51

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Published on: May 1, 2017

33.2K
A Quantitative Measurement of Reactive Oxygen Species and Senescence-associated Secretory Phenotype in Normal Human Fibroblasts During Oncogene-induced Senescence13:59

A Quantitative Measurement of Reactive Oxygen Species and Senescence-associated Secretory Phenotype in Normal Human Fibroblasts During Oncogene-induced Senescence

Published on: August 12, 2018

8.1K

Related Concept Videos

RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
33.3K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
3.6K
Replication in Eukaryotes01:29

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
13.3K
Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded...
23.1K
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
35.2K
Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay02:27

Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay

The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
10.6K