Non-B DNA Secondary Structures and Their Resolution by RecQ Helicases
In addition to the canonical B-form structure first described by Watson and Crick, DNA can adopt a number of alternative structures. These non-B-form DNA secondary structures form spontaneously on tracts of repeat sequences that are abundant in genomes. In addition, structured forms of DNA with intr...
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2011-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Nucleic Acids |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/724215 |
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| author | Sudha Sharma |
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| description | In addition to the canonical B-form structure first described by Watson and Crick, DNA can adopt a number of alternative structures. These non-B-form DNA secondary structures form spontaneously on tracts of repeat sequences that are abundant in genomes. In addition, structured forms of DNA with intrastrand pairing may arise on single-stranded DNA produced transiently during various cellular processes. Such secondary structures have a range of biological functions but also induce genetic instability. Increasing evidence suggests that genomic instabilities induced by non-B DNA secondary structures result in predisposition to diseases. Secondary DNA structures also represent a new class of molecular targets for DNA-interactive compounds that might be useful for targeting telomeres and transcriptional control. The equilibrium between the duplex DNA and formation of multistranded non-B-form structures is partly dependent upon the helicases that unwind (resolve) these alternate DNA structures. With special focus on tetraplex, triplex, and cruciform, this paper summarizes the incidence of non-B DNA structures and their association with genomic instability and emphasizes the roles of RecQ-like DNA helicases in genome maintenance by resolution of DNA secondary structures. In future, RecQ helicases are anticipated to be additional molecular targets for cancer chemotherapeutics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eb1dae604ea54593a98b32be53b78c31 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-021X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2011-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Journal of Nucleic Acids |
| spelling | doaj-art-eb1dae604ea54593a98b32be53b78c312025-02-03T01:06:54ZengWileyJournal of Nucleic Acids2090-021X2011-01-01201110.4061/2011/724215724215Non-B DNA Secondary Structures and Their Resolution by RecQ HelicasesSudha Sharma0Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Howard University, 520 W Street, NW, Suite 3424A, Washington, DC 20059, USAIn addition to the canonical B-form structure first described by Watson and Crick, DNA can adopt a number of alternative structures. These non-B-form DNA secondary structures form spontaneously on tracts of repeat sequences that are abundant in genomes. In addition, structured forms of DNA with intrastrand pairing may arise on single-stranded DNA produced transiently during various cellular processes. Such secondary structures have a range of biological functions but also induce genetic instability. Increasing evidence suggests that genomic instabilities induced by non-B DNA secondary structures result in predisposition to diseases. Secondary DNA structures also represent a new class of molecular targets for DNA-interactive compounds that might be useful for targeting telomeres and transcriptional control. The equilibrium between the duplex DNA and formation of multistranded non-B-form structures is partly dependent upon the helicases that unwind (resolve) these alternate DNA structures. With special focus on tetraplex, triplex, and cruciform, this paper summarizes the incidence of non-B DNA structures and their association with genomic instability and emphasizes the roles of RecQ-like DNA helicases in genome maintenance by resolution of DNA secondary structures. In future, RecQ helicases are anticipated to be additional molecular targets for cancer chemotherapeutics.http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/724215 |
| spellingShingle | Sudha Sharma Non-B DNA Secondary Structures and Their Resolution by RecQ Helicases Journal of Nucleic Acids |
| title | Non-B DNA Secondary Structures and Their Resolution by RecQ Helicases |
| title_full | Non-B DNA Secondary Structures and Their Resolution by RecQ Helicases |
| title_fullStr | Non-B DNA Secondary Structures and Their Resolution by RecQ Helicases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Non-B DNA Secondary Structures and Their Resolution by RecQ Helicases |
| title_short | Non-B DNA Secondary Structures and Their Resolution by RecQ Helicases |
| title_sort | non b dna secondary structures and their resolution by recq helicases |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/724215 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sudhasharma nonbdnasecondarystructuresandtheirresolutionbyrecqhelicases |