Genome-wide analysis of DNA G-quadruplex motifs across 37 species provides insights into G4 evolution

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01643-4
• Publication Date: 2021-01-22T11:40:00Z
• Authors: Feng Wu; Kangkang Niu; Yong Cui; Cencen Li; Mo Lyu; Yandong Ren; Yanfei Chen; Huimin Deng; Lihua Huang; Sichun Zheng; Lin Liu; Jian Wang; Qisheng Song; Hui Xiang; Qili Feng
• Keywords: G-quadruplex; Transcription

Abstract G-quadruplex (G4) structures have been predicted in the genomes of many organisms and proven to play regulatory roles diverse cellular activities. However, there is little information on evolutionary history distribution characteristics G4s. Here, whole-genome potential G4s were studied 37 evolutionarily representative species. During evolution, number, length, density generally increased. Immunofluorescence seven species confirmed G4s’ presence pattern. tended cluster chromosomes enriched genetic regions. Short-loop conserved most species, while loop-length diversity also existed, especially mammals. The proportion G4-bearing genes orthologue genes, which appeared be increasingly transcription factors, gradually antagonistic relationship between DNA methylation sites was detected. These findings imply that may developed G4 into a novel reversible elaborate transcriptional mechanism benefiting multiple physiological activities higher organisms.