The High-Resolution Crystal Structure of a Parallel-Stranded Guanine Tetraplex

Repeat tracts of guanine bases found in DNA and RNA can form tetraplex structures in the presence of a variety of monovalent cations. Evidence suggests that guanine tetraplexes assume important functions within chromosomal telomeres, immunoglobulin switch regions, and the human immunodeficiency viru...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1994-07, Vol.265 (5171), p.520-524
Main Authors: Laughlan, Gerard, Alastair I. H. Murchie, Norman, David G., Moore, Madeleine H., Peter C. E. Moody, David M. J. Lilley, Luisi, Ben
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIDS/HIV
Atoms
Biological and medical sciences
Computer Graphics
Crystal structure
Crystalline structure
Crystallization
Crystallography, X-Ray
Crystals
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Guanine
Guanine - chemistry
Hydrogen Bonding
Hydrogen bonds
Ions
Medical research
Molecular biophysics
Molecular Structure
Molecules
Nucleic Acid Conformation
Nucleic acids
Oligodeoxyribonucleotides - chemistry
Sodium
Structure in molecular biology
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Summary:Repeat tracts of guanine bases found in DNA and RNA can form tetraplex structures in the presence of a variety of monovalent cations. Evidence suggests that guanine tetraplexes assume important functions within chromosomal telomeres, immunoglobulin switch regions, and the human immunodeficiency virus genome. The structure of a parallel-stranded tetraplex formed by the hexanucleotide d(TG$_4$T) and stabilized by sodium cations was determined by x-ray crystallography to 1.2 angstroms resolution. Sharply resolved sodium cations were found between and within planes of hydrogen-bonded guanine quartets, and an ordered groove hydration was observed. Distinct intra- and intermolecular stacking arrangements were adopted by the guanine quartets. Thymine bases were exclusively involved in making extensive lattice contacts.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.8036494