This volume covers the structures, properties, and functions of G-quadruplexes in a wide range of biological disciplines, including therapeutic intervention and biomaterial application. The chapters in this book explore a wide range of vital and new experimental techniques used in the study of G-quadruplexes. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and cutting-edge, G-Quadruplex DNA: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for both novice and experienced researchers who work in biophysics, structural biology, computational biology, biochemistry, and molecular and cell biology, and who want to learn more about the potential roles and effects of G-quadruplex in these fields.

The realisation that human, animal, viral and bacterial genomes all contain over-representation of higher-order quadruplex structures in regulatory and other pharmacologically-useful regions, has led to a large number of studies aimed at exploiting this findings for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Quadruplex-binding small molecules are starting to be evaluated in human clinical trials. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry series

Guanine rich DNA has been known for decades to form unusual structures, although their biological relevance was little understood. Recent advances have demonstrated that quadruplex structures can play a role in gene expression and provide opportunities for a new class of anticancer therapeutics. A number of quadruplex-specific proteins have also been discovered. Quadruplex Nucleic Acids discusses all aspects of the fundamentals of quadruplex structures, including their structure in solution and the crystalline state, the kinetics of quadruplex folding, and the role of cations in structure and stability. The biology of quadruplexes and G-rich genomic regions and G-quartets in supramolecular chemistry and nanoscience are also considered. Surveying the current state of knowledge, and with contributions from leading experts, this is the first comprehensive review of this rapidly growing area. Quadruplex Nucleic Acids is ideal for researchers interested in areas related to chemistry, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, molecular pharmacology, and structural and molecular biology.

"Therapeutic applications of quadruplex nucleic acids provides a single comprehensive survey that describes and assesses recent advances in quadruplex therapeutics and targeting strategies. It also covers the underlying fundamentals of such topics as quadruplex structure, small-molecule recognition, biological roles of genomic quadruplexes, and quadruplex informatics"--P. [4] of cover.

Recent work has revealed that stabilizing G-quadruplexes in telomeric DNA inhibits telomerase activity, providing impetus for the development of G-quartet-interacting drugs, while G-quartet-containing oligonucleotides have been recognized as a potent class of aptamers effective against STAT3 and other transcription factors implicated in oncogenesis, proving these guanine-quartets to be a vital and rich area for future study. In "G-Quadruplex DNA: Methods and Protocols", experts in the field present a collection of detailed techniques for studying G-quartet formation, dynamics, and molecular recognition. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, "G-Quadruplex DNA: Methods and Protocols "promises to be a useful resource for those familiar with G-quartets as well as an easy entry point for those researchers from diverse fields who are just developing an interest in the exciting implications of G-quadruplex DNA.

Gaining Insights into the Small Molecule Targeting of the G-Quadruplex in the c-MYC Promoter Using NMR and an Allele-Specific Transcriptional Assay, by Christine E. Kaiser, Vijay Gokhale, Danzhou Yang and Laurence H. Hurley.- Higher-Order Quadruplex Structures, by Luigi Petraccone.- Investigation of Quadruplex Structure Under Physiological Conditions Using In-Cell NMR, by Robert Hänsel, Silvie Foldynová-Trantírková, Volker Dötsch and Lukás Trantírek.- Circular Dichroism of Quadruplex Structures, by Antonio Randazzo, Gian Piero Spada and Mateus Webba da Silva.- Molecular Crowding and Hydration Regulating of G-Quadruplex Formation, by Daisuke Miyoshi, Takeshi Fujimoto and Naoki Sugimoto.- Visualizing the Quadruplex: From Fluorescent Ligands to Light-Up Probes, by Eric Largy, Anton Granzhan, Florian Hamon, Daniela Verga and Marie-Paule Teulade-Fichou.- Calculation of Hydrodynamic Properties for G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acid Structures from in silico Bead Models, by Huy T. Le, Robert Buscaglia, William L. Dean, Jonathan B. Chaires and John O. Trent.- Energetics of Ligand Binding to G-Quadruplexes, Concetta Giancola and Bruno Pagano.- Tetramolecular Quadruplex Stability and Assembly, by Phong Lan Thao Tran, Anne De Cian, Julien Gros, Rui Moriyama and Jean-Louis Mergny.

This book highlights recent progress in the development of small-molecule inhibitors of oncogenic transcription factors and is relevant for postgraduates, researchers and practitioners.