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Oxford University Press, Nucleic Acids Research, 13(42), p. 8789-8795, 2014

DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku581

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Dynamics and stability of polymorphic human telomeric G-quadruplex under tension

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

As critical DNA structures capping the human chromosome ends, the stability and structural polymorphism of human telomeric G-quadruplex (G4) have drawn increasing attention in recent years. This work characterizes the equilibrium transitions of single-molecule telomeric G4 at physiological K+ concentration. We report three folded states of telomeric G4 with markedly different lifetime and mechanical stability. Our results show that the kinetically favored folding pathway is through a short-lived intermediate state to a longer-lived state. By examining the force dependence of transition rates, the force-dependent transition free energy landscape for this pathway is determined. In addition, an ultra-long-lived form of telomeric G4 structure with a much stronger mechanical stability is identified.