Title
An Improved Model for the hTERT Promoter Quadruplex
Author
Jonathan B. Chaires, John O. Trent, Robert D. Gray, William L. Dean, Robert Buscaglia, Shelia D. Thomas, Donald M. Miller
Year
2014
Journal
PLoS ONE
Abstract
Mutations occur at four specific sites in the hTERT promoter in >75% of glioblastomas and melanomas, but the mechanism by which the mutations affect gene expression remains unexplained. We report biophysical computational studies that show that the hTERT promoter sequence forms a novel G-quadruplex structure consisting of three contiguous, stacked parallel quadruplexes. The reported hTERT mutations map to the central quadruplex within this structure, and lead to an alteration of its hydrodynamic properties and stability.
Instrument
J-810
Keywords
Circular dichroism, DNA structure, Thermal stability, Biochemistry