1. G-quadruplex DNA structures in oncogenic high risk human papillomaviruses 16, 18 and 58.
- Author
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Kantún-Moreno, N., Ontiveros-Euan, J., Montero-Muñoz, J. L., and Gómez-Carballo, J. G.
- Subjects
PAPILLOMAVIRUSES ,ONCOGENIC DNA viruses ,CANCER - Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical structures of DNA or RNA formed in guanine-rich regions and play crucial roles in several processes related to the central dogma of molecular biology. G4s have been identified in some medically important viruses, such as SARS-COV-2 or HIV, making them potential molecular targets for diagnostics and antiviral development. However, not much is known about DNA viruses, as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the etiological agent of several types of cancers worldwide. The present study aims to identify G4 structures in the genomes of High-Risk (HR) HPV types 16, 18, and 58 using in silico methods. Initially, we selected bioinformatics predictors based on established criteria and identified Putative Quadruplex Sequences (PQS) in the genomes of these three HR-HPVs, as well as in their circulating variants. Finally, we modeled a conserved atypical G4 structure in 3D. Our results indicated more than 100 SFG4 in each genotype, with a higher abundance in L2, E1 and L1 genes. Furthermore, we identified two conserved PQS in the L1 region, which encodes the main structural protein, across all three HPVs, showing > 80 % identity. These same motifs were also found in clinical samples (n = 992) and could therefore serve as potential molecular targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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