Potential G-quadruplex-forming sequences (PQS) punctuate the genomes of most organisms and many viruses. Amidst the huge interest in targeting these sequences with small molecules comes the challenge of understanding the roles of these alternative structures in DNA and RNA. Two examples will be presented: (1) the role of G-quadruplexes (G4s) in promoter regions of genomic DNA in which base modification alters the equibrium structure of a PQS leading to changes in gene expression mediated by the base excision repair pathway, and (2) the appearance of G4s at critical and conserved sites in the Zika virus RNA genome presents a new potential target for G4-binding small molecules.

New roles for G-quadruplexes in gene expression and infectious disease

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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