G-Quadruplex in Gene Encoding Large Subunit of Plant RNA Polymerase II: A Billion-Year-Old Story

0544245 - ÚVGZ 2022 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Volna, A. - Bartas, M. - Karlický, Václav - Nezval, J. - Kundratova, K. - Pečinka, P. - Špunda, Vladimír - Červen, J.
G-Quadruplex in Gene Encoding Large Subunit of Plant RNA Polymerase II: A Billion-Year-Old Story.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Roč. 22, č. 14 (2021), č. článku 7381. E-ISSN 1422-0067
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA18-23702S; GA MŠMT(CZ) EF16_019/0000797
Research Infrastructure: CzeCOS III - 90123
Institutional support: RVO:86652079
Keywords : dna-repair * transcription * visualization * instability * sequences * molecule * promoter * reveal * system * server * evolution * plant science * nucleic acids * circular dichroism * UV light
OECD category: Biophysics
Impact factor: 6.208, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/14/7381

G-quadruplexes have long been perceived as rare and physiologically unimportant nucleic acid structures. However, several studies have revealed their importance in molecular processes, suggesting their possible role in replication and gene expression regulation. Pathways involving G-quadruplexes are intensively studied, especially in the context of human diseases, while their involvement in gene expression regulation in plants remains largely unexplored. Here, we conducted a bioinformatic study and performed a complex circular dichroism measurement to identify a stable G-quadruplex in the gene RPB1, coding for the RNA polymerase II large subunit. We found that this G-quadruplex-forming locus is highly evolutionarily conserved amongst plants sensu lato (Archaeplastida) that share a common ancestor more than one billion years old. Finally, we discussed a new hypothesis regarding G-quadruplexes interacting with UV light in plants to potentially form an additional layer of the regulatory network.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0321276