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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
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Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers
Published on: September 19, 2017
Direct visualization and functional characterization of Gar2Nucleolin-G-quadruplex interactions
Ajay Kumar1, Nasim Sabouri1,2
1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå 90187, Sweden. nasim.sabouri@umu.se.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 23, 2026
Summary
The nucleolar protein Gar2 (Nucleolin) binds and destabilizes G-quadruplexes. This finding reveals a new regulator of G4 dynamics crucial for ribosome biogenesis and genome organization.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- G-quadruplexes (G4s) are crucial DNA secondary structures involved in various cellular processes.
- Nucleolin is a well-known nucleolar protein with diverse functions.
- The role of Nucleolin in regulating G4 structures remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between Gar2 (Nucleolin) and G-quadruplexes.
- To determine the effect of Gar2 (Nucleolin) binding on G4 stability and dynamics.
- To identify the functional significance of this interaction in cellular processes like ribosome biogenesis and genome organization.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical assays to study protein-G4 binding.
- In vitro experiments to assess G4 destabilization by Gar2 (Nucleolin).
- Cellular studies to evaluate the impact on ribosome biogenesis and genome organization.
Main Results:
- Gar2 (Nucleolin) directly binds to G-quadruplex structures.
- Binding of Gar2 (Nucleolin) leads to the destabilization of G-quadruplexes.
- This interaction plays a role in regulating ribosome biogenesis and maintaining genome organization.
Conclusions:
- Gar2 (Nucleolin) acts as a novel regulator of G-quadruplex dynamics.
- The interaction between Gar2 (Nucleolin) and G4s has implications for ribosome biogenesis.
- This study uncovers a new function for Nucleolin in genome organization through G4 modulation.
