Superstructural self-assembly of the G-quadruplex structure formed by the homopurine strand in a DNA tract of human telomerase gene promoter

AFM imaging and physico-chemical studies provide evidence of the ability of the G-quadruplex structure, formed by a homopurine DNA sequence present in the human telomerase gene promoter, to self-assemble, giving rise to periodical linear superstructures. The reported study suggests the possibility of G-rich DNA sequences to form a new type of G-wire stabilized by end-to-end stacking between terminal G-quartets and characterized by loops of adenine extruded by parallel G-quadruplex repetitive elements.