Abstract
The telomeres of most eukaryotes contain tandemly-repeated DNA sequences, with a cluster of G residues on one strand. Recent studies showed that the Oxytricha telomeric DNA oligonucleotide, d(G4T4G4), dimerizes to form a quadruplex in the presence of Na+ or K+. We have observed that the oligonucleotide d(G4T4G4) does not dimerize in the presence of Li+ ion at low sample concentrations. In the monomeric state, this molecule forms a simple foldback hairpin structure containing G · G reverse Hoogsteen basepairs in the stem region. This hairpin structure has a thermal stability which is well reconciled with telomere functions in vivo.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 341-344 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | BBA - Gene Structure and Expression |
Volume | 1217 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1994 Apr 6 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Hairpin structure
- Hoogsteen basepair
- Telomere
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Structural Biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
- Genetics