G-quadruplexes and helicases

Nucleic Acids Res. 2016 Mar 18;44(5):1989-2006. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkw079. Epub 2016 Feb 15.

Abstract

Guanine-rich DNA strands can fold in vitro into non-canonical DNA structures called G-quadruplexes. These structures may be very stable under physiological conditions. Evidence suggests that G-quadruplex structures may act as 'knots' within genomic DNA, and it has been hypothesized that proteins may have evolved to remove these structures. The first indication of how G-quadruplex structures could be unfolded enzymatically came in the late 1990s with reports that some well-known duplex DNA helicases resolved these structures in vitro. Since then, the number of studies reporting G-quadruplex DNA unfolding by helicase enzymes has rapidly increased. The present review aims to present a general overview of the helicase/G-quadruplex field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • DNA Helicases / chemistry
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / chemistry
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / genetics
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins / chemistry
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins / genetics
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins / metabolism*
  • G-Quadruplexes*
  • Gene Expression
  • Guanine / chemistry
  • Guanine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • RecQ Helicases / chemistry
  • RecQ Helicases / genetics
  • RecQ Helicases / metabolism*
  • Werner Syndrome Helicase

Substances

  • BACH1 protein, human
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins
  • Guanine
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • RTEL1 protein, human
  • DNA Helicases
  • DNA2 protein, human
  • RecQ Helicases
  • WRN protein, human
  • Werner Syndrome Helicase
  • PIF1 protein, human