DNA Quadruplexes
DNA can fold into guanine quadruplexes which are stabilized by cations and ligands. In previous projects, the cooperativity in the hydrogen bonds of guanine quartets have been shown to emerge from covalent interactions in these bonds. Furthermore, the importance of the central alkali cation has been established: the “fit” of the cation in the cavity of the quadruplex and the desolvation of the cation have been shown to be of equal importance. In future projects, the relevance of ligands and other cations will be investigated.
RNA vs DNA G-Quadruplex: the origin of increased stability
F. Zaccaria, C. Fonseca Guerra
Chem. Eur. J. 2018, 24, 16315-16322 (Cover)
Telomere Structure and Stability: Covalency in Hydrogen Bonds, Not Resonance Assistance, Causes Cooperativity in Guanine Quartets
C. Fonseca Guerra, H. Zijlstra, G. Paragi, F. M. Bickelhaupt
Chem. Eur. J. 2011, 17, 12612-12622
Understanding Alkali Metal Cation Affinities of Multi-Layer Guanine Quadruplex DNA
C. Nieuwland, F. Zaccaria, C. Fonseca Guerra