G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral Strategies
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are unique non-canonical four-stranded nucleic acid secondary structures formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA sequences. Sequences with the potential to form quadruplex motifs (pG4s) are prevalent throughout the genomes of all organisms, spanning from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, and...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | Viruses |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/11/2216 |
| _version_ | 1827638643990200320 |
|---|---|
| author | Rajiv Pathak |
| author_facet | Rajiv Pathak |
| author_sort | Rajiv Pathak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | G-quadruplexes (G4s) are unique non-canonical four-stranded nucleic acid secondary structures formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA sequences. Sequences with the potential to form quadruplex motifs (pG4s) are prevalent throughout the genomes of all organisms, spanning from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, and are enriched within regions of biological significance. In the past few years, the identification of pG4s within most of the Baltimore group viruses has attracted increasing attention due to their occurrence in regulatory regions of the genome and the subsequent implications for regulating critical stages of viral life cycles. In this context, the employment of specific G4 ligands has aided in comprehending the intricate G4-mediated regulatory mechanisms in the viral life cycle, showcasing the potential of targeting viral G4s as a novel antiviral strategy. This review offers a thorough update on the literature concerning G4s in viruses, including their identification and functional significance across most of the human-infecting viruses. Furthermore, it delves into potential therapeutic avenues targeting G4s, encompassing various G4-binding ligands, G4-interacting proteins, and oligonucleotide-based strategies. Finally, the article highlights both progress and challenges in the field, providing valuable insights into leveraging this unusual nucleic acid structure for therapeutic purposes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:22:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b44d0307d564462b860d2a1446425224 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:22:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-b44d0307d564462b860d2a14464252242023-11-24T15:10:49ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152023-11-011511221610.3390/v15112216G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral StrategiesRajiv Pathak0Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USAG-quadruplexes (G4s) are unique non-canonical four-stranded nucleic acid secondary structures formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA sequences. Sequences with the potential to form quadruplex motifs (pG4s) are prevalent throughout the genomes of all organisms, spanning from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, and are enriched within regions of biological significance. In the past few years, the identification of pG4s within most of the Baltimore group viruses has attracted increasing attention due to their occurrence in regulatory regions of the genome and the subsequent implications for regulating critical stages of viral life cycles. In this context, the employment of specific G4 ligands has aided in comprehending the intricate G4-mediated regulatory mechanisms in the viral life cycle, showcasing the potential of targeting viral G4s as a novel antiviral strategy. This review offers a thorough update on the literature concerning G4s in viruses, including their identification and functional significance across most of the human-infecting viruses. Furthermore, it delves into potential therapeutic avenues targeting G4s, encompassing various G4-binding ligands, G4-interacting proteins, and oligonucleotide-based strategies. Finally, the article highlights both progress and challenges in the field, providing valuable insights into leveraging this unusual nucleic acid structure for therapeutic purposes.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/11/2216G-quadruplexG-quadruplex forming sequencesnon-canonical G4svirustargeting G4sG-quadruplex ligands |
| spellingShingle | Rajiv Pathak G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral Strategies Viruses G-quadruplex G-quadruplex forming sequences non-canonical G4s virus targeting G4s G-quadruplex ligands |
| title | G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral Strategies |
| title_full | G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral Strategies |
| title_fullStr | G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral Strategies |
| title_full_unstemmed | G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral Strategies |
| title_short | G-Quadruplexes in the Viral Genome: Unlocking Targets for Therapeutic Interventions and Antiviral Strategies |
| title_sort | g quadruplexes in the viral genome unlocking targets for therapeutic interventions and antiviral strategies |
| topic | G-quadruplex G-quadruplex forming sequences non-canonical G4s virus targeting G4s G-quadruplex ligands |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/11/2216 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rajivpathak gquadruplexesintheviralgenomeunlockingtargetsfortherapeuticinterventionsandantiviralstrategies |