G-quadruplex Nucleic Acids: Sequence, Structure, Stability, Interaction, Function, and Application
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 389
Special Issue Editor
Interests: G-quadruplex; i-motif; molecular crowding; phase separation; thermodynamics; kinetics; aptamer; ligand
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Although the canonical structure is double helix, nucleic acids can fold to form various non-canonical structures. It is well-known that many proteins can bind to nucleic acids not only in a sequence-specific but also structure-selective manner. Moreover, as seen in protein enzymes, most functional RNA molecules, such as (deoxy)ribozyme, riboswitch, aptamer, manifest their functions depending on three-dimensional structures, involving the double helix, as well as non-canonical structures. From the viewpoint of the biological roles of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA may store structural information in addition to genetic information.
The most well-known and well-studied non-canonical structure of nucleic acids are G-quadruplexes, which are formed by guanine-rich sequences. Biochemical and biophysical studies have reported thermodynamically, biologically, and chemically stable DNA and RNA G-quadruplexes. Recently, endogenous and exogenous DNA and RNA G-quadruplex structures have been observed in human cells, as well as in various other cells and viruses including SARS-CoV-2. These G-quadruplexes play versatile roles in gene expression, DNA damage, onset mechanism of diseases, and liquid–liquid phase separation. Moreover, G-quadruplexes are important for the development of biosensors and functional nanomaterials.
This Special Issue represents an opportunity for researchers in broad fields to share their latest progress and discuss sequence, structure, stability, interaction, function, and application of G-quadruplexes of DNA, RNA, and artificial nucleic acids. We invite the submission of short communications, original research articles, and reviews related to all aspects of G-quadruplexes.
Prof. Dr. Daisuke Miyoshi
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- G-quadruplex
- i-motif
- gene expression
- DNA
- RNA
- ligand
- function in biology and material
- nanomaterial
- bioimaging
