G-triplex stability in human telomeric DNA with epigenetic modification/oxidative damage to thymine

• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-018-7355-z
• Publication Date: 2018-05-15T08:53:58Z
• Authors: M. Caterino; A. Virgilio; V. Esposito; L. Petraccone; A. Galeone; C. Giancola
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; G-triplex; 03 medical and health sciences; Epigenetic modification; Telomeric sequence; Circular dichroism; DSC; Epigenetic modification; G-triplex; Gel electrophoresis; Telomeric sequence; Thermodynamic stability; Thymine oxidation;; Thymine oxidation; Circular dichroism; Gel electrophoresis; Thermodynamic stability; DSC

DNA G-triplex structures are interesting intermediates in the folding process of G-quadruplexes. That means G-triplexes might represent convenient pharmacological targets for gene expression modulation. However, the literature comes with little knowledge concerning the effects of epigenetic or other chemical modifications on their physical–chemical properties. Herein we explore the biophysical consequences of substituting 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxyuridine to thymidine in a stable G-triplex-forming telomeric sequence by combining circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry and gel electrophoresis.