Destabilisation of the c-kit1 G-quadruplex structure by N6-methyladenosine modification

June 29, 2020

Title

Destabilisation of the c-kit1 G-quadruplex structure by N6-methyladenosine modification

Year

2020

Journal

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Abstract

N6-methyladenine (m6dA) has been recently discovered in eukaryotic genomic DNA. However, there have been few reports on its biological roles. G-quadruplex (G4) is a non-canonical nucleic acid structure formed by the stacking of G-tetrads. G4-forming sequences are enriched with cis-regulatory elements in genomic DNA and the G4 structures have important roles in various cellular functions. We previously reported that CpG methylation stabilized vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) G4 structure. Here we report that m6dA modification destabilizes the human c-kit1 G4 structure. These results suggest that epigenetic modifications may affect G4 formation in order to regulate the biological functions.

Instrument

J-1500

Keywords

Circular dichroism, DNA structure, G-quadruplex structure, Thermal stability, Thermodynamics, Chemical stability, Biochemistry