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Discovery of “folded DNA” structures in human cells: Potential drug targets
Author(s) -
Raffa Robert B.,
Pergolizzi Joseph V.,
Taylor Robert,
Ossipov Michael H.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.12758
Subject(s) - drug discovery , computational biology , drug , dna , chemistry , biology , genetics , pharmacology , bioinformatics
Summary What is known and objective The double‐helical conformation of human DNA (hDNA) is so axiomatic that it is called the “canonical” form. Recently, though, intrastrand folds (“I‐motifs” and “G‐quadruplexes”) have been identified in hDNA. These could be targets for novel drug discovery. Comment Any interruption of the canonical form of hDNA fundamentally impacts the normal progression of transduction and translation. In particular, the synthesis of receptors and cognate protein ligands would be affected, as well as their affinity for—and signal transduction of—pharmacotherapeutic agents. Recent studies have identified normally occurring, folded structures superimposed on the usual double‐helix motif of hDNA. What is new and conclusion The newly identified “folded DNA” structures (“I‐motifs” and “G‐quadruplexes”) could represent novel drug‐discovery targets, most likely for cancer.