Divalent cations and molecular crowding buffers stabilize G-triplex at physiologically relevant temperatures

Sci Rep. 2015 Mar 19:5:9255. doi: 10.1038/srep09255.

Abstract

G-triplexes are non-canonical DNA structures formed by G-rich sequences with three G-tracts. Putative G-triplex-forming sequences are expected to be more prevalent than putative G-quadruplex-forming sequences. However, the research on G-triplexes is rare. In this work, the effects of molecular crowding and several physiologically important metal ions on the formation and stability of G-triplexes were examined using a combination of circular dichroism, thermodynamics, optical tweezers and calorimetry techniques. We determined that molecular crowding conditions and cations, such as Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+) and Ca(2+), promote the formation of G-triplexes and stabilize these structures. Of these four metal cations, Ca(2+) has the strongest stabilizing effect, followed by K(+), Mg(2+), and Na(+) in a decreasing order. The binding of K(+) to G-triplexes is accompanied by exothermic heats, and the binding of Ca(2+) with G-triplexes is characterized by endothermic heats. G-triplexes formed from two G-triad layers are not stable at physiological temperatures; however, G-triplexes formed from three G-triads exhibit melting temperatures higher than 37°C, especially under the molecular crowding conditions and in the presence of K(+) or Ca(2+). These observations imply that stable G-triplexes may be formed under physiological conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Buffers
  • Calorimetry
  • Cations, Divalent / chemistry*
  • Circular Dichroism
  • G-Quadruplexes
  • Guanine / chemistry*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Oligonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Optical Tweezers
  • Phase Transition
  • Thermodynamics
  • Transition Temperature

Substances

  • Buffers
  • Cations, Divalent
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Guanine