G-quadruplexes and i-motifs: Emerging regulatory elements in plant genomes

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• G-quadruplexes (G4s) and i-motifs (iMs) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures.
• They function as cis-regulatory elements in plant DNA and RNA.
• Their roles in gene regulation are increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in identifying and predicting G4s and iMs in plant genomes.
• To highlight the utility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving prediction accuracy.
• To discuss the implications of G4s and iMs for plant gene regulation and crop improvement.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on G4 and iM identification and prediction.
• Emphasis on sequencing-based detection and computational approaches.
• Highlighting Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven methods for enhanced prediction accuracy.

Main Results:

• G4s and iMs are widely distributed in plant genomes, particularly in promoter and untranslated regions (UTRs).
• Evidence suggests their involvement in both transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation.
• AI-driven methods demonstrate superior prediction accuracy for these structures.

Conclusions:

• G4s and iMs are crucial regulatory elements in plants with significant roles in gene expression.
• Functional studies in plants lag behind those in animals, necessitating further research.
• Understanding these structures offers potential for advancing plant biology and crop breeding.