G-quadraplex structures occur in guanine-rich sequences in various DNA and RNA molecules. These G-quadruplexes are often found in telomeric and regulatory regions of oncogenes, and because of this, G-qudraplexes have become a target of study in anticancer therapeutics. G-quadruplexes are also involved in regulation of transcription and translation when present in certain regions. Small molecules or peptides synthesized to specifically recognize the G-quadruplex structure could display anticancer activity or may regulate transcription or translation. To explore these possibilities, peptides were designed and synthesized to mimic some small molecule inhibitors which were previously reported in the literature and have been demonstrated to inhibit RNA G-quadraplex translation. Binding affinities of the interactions between the peptides and various G-quadruplexes will be determined using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC). The secondary structures of the peptides will be determined using circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Progress toward these goals will be reported.

Peptides designed to target G-quadruplexes for transcriptional and translational regulation

249th National Meeting (2015)

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