Effects of LNA modification on the stability and structure of DNA G-quadruplex

Abstract

Formation of G-quadruplex by DNA can inhibit activity of telomerase, hence stop proliferation of cancer cells[1-2]. Thus, quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides have promising anticancer pharmaceutical potential. Because of LNA’s (Locked Nucleic Acid) biostability[3], the lifetime of LNA modified oligonucleotide can be prolonged. Knowledge of the LNA modified G-quadruplex’s stability and structure[4-5] can help in drug design. This project uses various biophysical techniques including 1D and 2D NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), CD (Circular Dichroism) and UV (UltraViolet) absorption spectroscopy to investigate the effect of LNA modifications on a quadruplex-forming human telomeric sequence. [2nd Award]