G Quadruplex in plants : A ubiquitous regulatory element and its biological relevance
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Date
2017
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Frontiers in Plant Science
Abstract
G quadruplexes (G4) are higher-order DNA and RNA secondary structures formed by
G-rich sequences that are built around tetrads of hydrogen-bonded guanine bases.
Potential G4 quadruplex sequences have been identified in G-rich eukaryotic nontelomeric
and telomeric genomic regions. Upon function, G4 formation is known to
involve in chromatin remodeling, gene regulation and has been associated with genomic
instability, genetic diseases and cancer progression. The natural role and biological
validation of G4 structures is starting to be explored, and is of particular interest for the
therapeutic interventions for human diseases. However, the existence and physiological
role of G4 DNA and G4 RNA in plants species have not been much investigated
yet and therefore, is of great interest for the development of improved crop varieties
for sustainable agriculture. In this context, several recent studies suggests that these
highly diverse G4 structures in plants can be employed to regulate expression of genes
involved in several pathophysiological conditions including stress response to biotic and
abiotic stresses as well as DNA damage. In the current review, we summarize the recent
findings regarding the emerging functional significance of G4 structures in plants and
discuss their potential value in the development of improved crop varieties.
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Keywords
G quadruplex, genome stability, recombination, DNA damage and repair, transcriptional and translational regulation