Citation

BibTex format

@article{Durmisevic:2026,
author = {Durmisevic, A and Openy, J and Majid, A and Nanda, M and Vilar, Compte R and Clever, G},
journal = {Nucleic Acids Research (NAR)},
title = {Metal-triggered topology switching in bipyridine-modified DNA G-quadruplexes},
year = {2026}
}

RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB - Gaining control over DNA G-quadruplex topology bears potential to modulate and study their interaction with other biomacromolecules such as proteins. To achieve this, we introduced bipyridine ligands into short oligonucleotide strands derived from telomeric regions of humans and Tetrahymena as well as into an oncogenic promoter region capable of forming such G-quadruplexes. This modification makes it possible to dynamically access different G-quadruplex topologies through the formation of chelate complexes within the quadruplex loop regions using metals such as Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Cd2+. The metal coordinated systems show enhanced stability towards thermal denaturation as well as a solvation-related response in the presence of molecular crowding reagents. Furthermore, herein introduced G-quadruplexes modified with bipyridine-metal complexes stay folded in cellulo and therefore show potential for creating new oligonucleotide-based diagnostic agents and therapeutics. Metal-stabilized G-quadruplexes will be suited as robust probes for finding new protein binders, inducers for cellular pathways or decoys to sequester transcription factors.
AU - Durmisevic,A
AU - Openy,J
AU - Majid,A
AU - Nanda,M
AU - Vilar,Compte R
AU - Clever,G
PY - 2026///
SN - 0305-1048
TI - Metal-triggered topology switching in bipyridine-modified DNA G-quadruplexes
T2 - Nucleic Acids Research (NAR)
ER -

Contact:

Professor Ramon Vilar
Department of Chemistry
Imperial College London
Molecular Sciences Research Hub
White City Campus
82 Wood Lane
London W12 0BZ
 
Email: r.vilar@imperial.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)20 7594 1967