Designer, Fluorescent Molecule Shines Light on Mysterious 4-Stranded DNA

Scientists have taken a closer look on mysterious, four-stranded DNA. A designer, fluorescent molecule is now shedding light on the knots of DNA thought to play a role in regulating how genes are switched on and off.

DNA is typically arranged in a double helix, where two strands are intertwined like a coiled ladder. Previous research, though, has shown the existence of unusual DNA structures called quadruplexes, where four strands are arranged in the form of little knots. That's why researchers decided to take a closer look at these four-stranded DNA structures.

In this latest study, the researchers created a fluorescent molecule that can reveal the presence of these quadruplexes in living cells. They used the glowing molecule to target quadruplex DNA inside human bone cancer cells grown in the laboratory. The scientists then studied the interactions between the two in real time, using powerful microscopes.

Quadruplexes can form when a strand of DNA rich in guanines folds over onto itself. Several distinct quadruplex structures have been found in the human genome but their exact role remains unclear. Recent studies, though, have shown that they're particularly prevalent in regions nearby oncogenes, which are genes that have the potential to cause cancer.

"There is mounting evidence that quandruplexes are involved in switching genes on and off because of where they are usually positioned within the genome," said Ramon Vilar, one of the researchers, in a news release. "If this can be proved, it would make quadruplexes an extremely important target for treating diseases such as cancer. But to understand what role they play, we need to be able to study them in living cells. Our new fluorescent molecule allows us to do this by directly monitoring the behavior of quadruplexes inside living cells in real time."

The study shows that the molecule could be potentially used to verify in live cells and in real time whether potential quandruplex DNA binders are hitting their target. This could be huge when it comes to accelerating research into these DNA structures.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

Related Stories

Alzheimer's: Human Umbilical Cord Cells Improve Cognition in Model Mice

Quicker Diagnosis of Infections with New Device

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).