G-qudruplex structures, which are formed in telomere regions, represent a promising target for potential development of new active substances for curing different types of diseases. Understanding the G-quadruplex structures and their stability is crucial for their development. In my master’s thesis I have studied these G-quadruplex d(G4T4G4) structures and their stability in the presence of potassium, sodium and calcium ions. Four our study of d(G4T4G4) we used CD-spectropolarimetry, DSC and gel electrophoresis.
We confirmed that d(G4T4G4) sequences can form a parallel, antiparallel or hybrid conformation depending on the type and concentration of ions and solvent properties. The presence of these different ions can lead to transformation from one structure to another. To describe the experimental data of the DSC thermogram, we proposed a kinematic model, that describes thermally induced conformational transition of water diluted d(G4T4G4) in the presence of potassium ions at different heating rates.
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