T-loop formation by human telomeric G-quadruplex

Abstract

T-loops were a proposed telomere structure and have been speculated to protect telomeres and regulate telomerase. In the current study, we examined the structural and thermodynamic properties of the dimeric G-quadruplex of human telomeric DNA using chemical modifications and CD spectroscopy. We demonstrated that the dimeric G-quadruplex topology induced the T-loop formation in K(+) solution.