Complex pretransitional solution dynamics and LC behaviour of $\mathrm{d(G_4C_2)}$ and $\mathrm{d(G_4C_2)_4}$ DNA sequences

Potrč, Melani (avtor), Čokor, Elena (avtor), Drevenšek Olenik, Irena (avtor), Spindler, Lea (avtor)

Beyond the well-known double-helix structure, guanine-rich DNA sequences can form higher-order structures, known as DNA quadruplexes. These structures play an important role in gene regulation and are associated with certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Although the LC phases of double-stranded DNA have been extensively studied, the self-assembly and LC behaviour of DNA quadruplexes remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the DNA sequences d(G$_4$C$_2$) and d(G$_4$C$_2$)$_4$, which exhibit supramolecular assembly. The focus of our study was to examine the effect of DNA concentration on the dynamics of DNA quadruplexes in the pretransitional I $\to$ LC region and to assess their ability to form LC phases at higher concentrations – conditions that better represent physiological environments. Measurements were performed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and polarisation optical microscopy (POM). DLS was employed to study the dynamics of DNA quadruplexes in the pretransitional region, while POM was used to identify mesophases at higher concentrations. Our results indicate that the d(G$_4$C$_2$) and d(G$_4$C$_2$)$_4$ sequences behave like typical polyelectrolytes and exhibit the potential to form LC phases.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: liquid crystals, polarised optical microscopy, dynamic light scattering, DNA, DNA-quadruplexes, polyelectrolytes, chromonics
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FMF - Fakulteta za matematiko in fiziko
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: Str. 123-130
• Številčenje: Vol. 53, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-186166
• UDK: 538.9
• ISSN pri članku: 0267-8292
• DOI: 10.1080/02678292.2026.2622530
• COBISS.SI-ID: 269188355
• Datum objave v RUL: 28.08.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Liquid crystals
• Skrajšan naslov: Liq. cryst.
• Založnik: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0267-8292
• COBISS.SI-ID: 1690628

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: tekoči kristali, polarizacijska optična mikroskopija, dinamično sipanje svetlobe, DNK, DNK kvadrupleksi, polielektroliti

Projekti

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P1-0192
• Naslov: Svetloba in snov

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P1-0403
• Naslov: Računsko intenzivni kompleksni sistemi