Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Co-Localization Of Dna I-Motif-Forming Sequences And 5-Hydroxymethyl-Cytosines In Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Yogini P. Bhavsar-Jog, Eric Van Dornshuld, Tracy A. Brooks, Gregory S. Tschumper, Randy M. Wadkins

Faculty and Student Publications

G-quadruplexes (G4s) and i-motifs (iMs) are tetraplex DNA structures. Sequences capable of forming G4/iMs are abundant near the transcription start sites (TSS) of several genes. G4/iMs affect gene expression in vitro. Depending on the gene, the presence of G4/iMs can enhance or suppress expression, making it challenging to discern the underlying mechanism by which they operate. Factors affecting G4/iM structures can provide additional insight into their mechanism of regulation. One such factor is epigenetic modification. The 5-hydroxymethylated cytosines (5hmCs) are epigenetic modifications that occur abundantly in human embryonic stem cells (hESC). The 5hmCs, like G4/iMs, are known to participate in …