STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF NON-WATSON-CRICK TELOMERIC DNA

染色体的稳定性对于遗传物质的忠实传递至关重要。 每个细胞分裂的信息。 端粒是一种 染色体末端是染色体稳定性所必需的。 所有 端粒DNA含有简单的、富含G/C的重复序列， G和C残基分离到双链体的相对链。 的 所有端粒的富含G的链在端粒末端延伸到双链体之外。 端粒的分子末端 在体外，所有端粒富含G 测试链可以通过非沃森-克里克（G-G和G-T）碱基自缔合 配对 综上所述，这些数据表明，G链突出端 在体内形成自缔合结构，并且该结构 与端粒功能密切相关 这个项目的目标是了解端粒如何赋予稳定性 染色体，更具体地说，什么作用（S）的独特G- 链DNA结构是（是）在实现这一点。 具体目标 是：1）确定G链结构的分子细节，2） 确定端粒G链结构的生物学功能 使用体外和体内试验，并确定非沃森-克里克 碱基配对结构可以在沃森-克里克环境中形成，3） 我们已经鉴定了一种活性， G-链结构，4）产生单克隆抗体 与G链结构和5）探索端粒的位置， 固定和活细胞中的荧光和电子动力学 显微镜

Chromosome stability is crucial for the faithful passage of genetic information at each cell division. Telomeres are structures at chromosomal termini that are essential for chromosome stability. All telomeric DNA contains simple, G/C-rich, repeated sequences in which the G and C residues are segregated to opposite strands of the duplex. The G-rich strand of all telomeres examined extends beyond the duplex at the molecular terminus of the telomere. In vitro, all telomeric G-rich strands tested can self-associate by non-Watson-Crick (G-G and G-T) base pairing. Taken together, these data suggest that the G-strand overhang forms a self-associated structure in vivo and that this structure is intimately involved in telomere function. The goal of this project is to understand how telomeres confer stability to chromosomes and, more specifically, what the role(s) of the unique G- strand DNA structure is (are) in accomplishing this. The specific aims are: 1) to determine the molecular details of the G-strand structure, 2) to ascertain the biological function of the telomeric G-strand structure using in vitro and in vivo assays and to determine if non-Watson-Crick base paired structures can form in a Watson-Crick Environment, 3) to characterize an activity we have identified that binds specifically to the G-strand structure, 4) to produce monoclonal antibodies that react with the G-strand structure and 5) to explore telomere location and dynamics in fixed and living cells by fluorescence and electron microscopy.