Photoactive G-Quadruplex Ligand Identifies Multiple G-Quadruplex-Related Proteins with Extensive Sequence Tolerance in the Cellular Environment
Haomiao Su, Jinglei Xu, Yuqi Chen, Qi Wang, Ziang Lu, Yage Chen, Kun Chen, Shaoqing Han, Zhentian Fang, Ping Wang, Bi‐Feng Yuan, Xiang Zhou
Abstract
G-Quadruplex (G4) is a noncanonical nucleic acid secondary structure with multiple biofunctions. Identifying G4-related proteins (G4RPs) is important for understanding the roles of G4 in biology. Current methods to identify G4RPs include discovery from specific biological processes or in vitro pull-down assays with specific G4 sequences. Here, we report an in vivo strategy used to identify G4RPs with extensive sequence tolerance based on G4 ligand-mediated cross-linking. Applying this method, we identified 114 and 281 G4RPs in SV589 and MM231 cells, respectively. The results successfully overlapped with all the pull-down assay literature. Through the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), we identified some new G4-binding proteins. Moreover, enhanced cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (eCLIP) confirmed that one newly identified G4-binding protein, SERBP1, interacts with G4 in the cellular environment. The method we developed provides a new strategy for identifying proteins that interact with nucleic secondary structures in cells and benefit the study of their biological roles.