Abstract
Single-stranded complex guanine-rich DNA sequences from chromosomal telomeres and else-where can associate to form stable parallel four-stranded structures termed G4-DNA by a process that is anomalously dependent on the particular alkali metal cation that is present. The anomaly, which is not found in the formation of G4-DNA by oligonucleotides containing short, single runs of three or more guanines, is caused by potassium cations excessively stabilizing fold-back intermedi-ate structures, or pathway by-products.
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Sen, D., Gilbert, W. A sodium-potassium switch in the formation of four-stranded G4-DNA. Nature 344, 410–414 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/344410a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/344410a0
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