Tiny telomere DNA

Nucleic Acids Res. 2002 Jun 1;30(11):2307-15. doi: 10.1093/nar/30.11.2307.

Abstract

We describe the design, synthesis and biophysical characterization of a novel DNA construct in which a folded quadruplex structure is joined to a standard double helix. Circular dichroism, gel electrophoresis, three-dimensional UV melting and differential scanning calorimetry were all used to characterize the structure. Rigorous molecular dynamics simulations were used to build a plausible atomic-level structural model of the DNA construct. This novel DNA construct provides a model for the duplex-quadruplex junction region at the end of chromosomal DNA and offers a system for the study of structure-selective ligand binding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Circular Dichroism
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA / radiation effects
  • G-Quadruplexes
  • Ligands
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation* / radiation effects
  • Nucleic Acid Denaturation / radiation effects
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / chemistry
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / genetics
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / metabolism
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / radiation effects
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Telomere / chemistry*
  • Telomere / genetics
  • Telomere / metabolism*
  • Telomere / radiation effects
  • Thermodynamics
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • DNA