Functional G-Quadruplex Binding Molecules
Fumi Nagatsugi, Kazumitsu Onizuka
Abstract
Guanine (G)-rich sequences can form non-canonical four stranded structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4s). The G4 structure has been found in biologically significant regions of the genomic DNA, and many G4 ligands with a high specificity and affinity have been reported. In this review, we focus on the functional G4 ligands, which not only bind to the G4 structure but also have some function, especially with inducing G4 folding, chemical reactions, and alkylation by proximity. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are formed in the guanine-rich sequences and found in biologically-significant regions of the genomic DNA, including the telomere, located at the end of the eukaryotic chromosome, the promoter regions of oncogenes. In this review, we focus on the functional G4 ligands, which not only bind to the G4 structure but also have some function.