Exposing the G-quadruplex to electric fields: the role played by telomeres in the propagation of DNA errors

PAPER manual 2017 In vitro study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1039/c7cp01034f Evidence Lab

Abstract

Exposing the G-quadruplex to electric fields: the role played by telomeres in the propagation of DNA errors Cerón-Carrasco JP, Jacquemin D. Exposing the G-quadruplex to electric fields: the role played by telomeres in the propagation of DNA errors. Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2017 Mar 20. doi: 10.1039/c7cp01034f. Abstract To protect their core machinery from the attack of exogenous agents, cells locate DNA in their nucleus. Nevertheless, some reactive chemical species and physical agents might reach DNA and alter its natural double helix structure. For instance, pulsed electric fields can be used to selectively rewrite the stored genetic information. However, for such modification to be effective, one needs, as a prerequisite, that the replication mechanism is not stopped by the field, so that the changes propagate over the following generations. Here, we use theoretical calculations to demonstrate that while such fields lead to permanent noncanonical Watson-Crick guanine-cytosine (GC) base pairs, the G-quadruplex motifs present in telomeres can more effectively preserve their native forms. Indeed, G-quadruplexes "resist" the perturbations induced by field strengths going up to 60 × 10-4 a.u., a figure constituting the upper limit before the complete destruction of the double helix architecture. Since the induced errors in the DNA base pairs are not transcribed into the telomeres, electric fields can indeed be used as a source of selective mutations in the genetic code. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

In vitro study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

—

Sample size

—

Exposure

pulsed electric fields (modeled)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 66% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

The authors report theoretical calculations suggesting pulsed electric fields can induce permanent noncanonical guanine-cytosine base pairs in DNA, while telomeric G-quadruplex motifs more effectively preserve their native forms under the same perturbations. They state G-quadruplexes resist perturbations up to a reported field strength threshold, described as near an upper limit before complete destruction of double-helix architecture. They conclude that because induced base-pair errors are not transcribed into telomeres, electric fields could be used as a source of selective mutations in the genetic code.

Outcomes measured

DNA base-pairing changes (noncanonical Watson-Crick GC base pairs)
Stability/perturbation resistance of telomeric G-quadruplex motifs under electric fields
Double helix structural integrity under increasing field strength

Limitations

The work is based on theoretical calculations rather than measurements in cells, animals, or humans.
Exposure parameters (e.g., real-world field characteristics, duration) are not specified in the abstract.
Generalizability to biological systems and in vivo replication/repair processes is not established in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "publication_year": null,
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "pulsed electric fields (modeled)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "DNA base-pairing changes (noncanonical Watson-Crick GC base pairs)",
        "Stability/perturbation resistance of telomeric G-quadruplex motifs under electric fields",
        "Double helix structural integrity under increasing field strength"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The authors report theoretical calculations suggesting pulsed electric fields can induce permanent noncanonical guanine-cytosine base pairs in DNA, while telomeric G-quadruplex motifs more effectively preserve their native forms under the same perturbations. They state G-quadruplexes resist perturbations up to a reported field strength threshold, described as near an upper limit before complete destruction of double-helix architecture. They conclude that because induced base-pair errors are not transcribed into telomeres, electric fields could be used as a source of selective mutations in the genetic code.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "The work is based on theoretical calculations rather than measurements in cells, animals, or humans.",
        "Exposure parameters (e.g., real-world field characteristics, duration) are not specified in the abstract.",
        "Generalizability to biological systems and in vivo replication/repair processes is not established in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "stance": "neutral",
    "stance_confidence": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "summary": "This paper reports theoretical calculations on how pulsed electric fields may affect DNA base pairing and telomeric G-quadruplex structures. The authors suggest fields can induce permanent noncanonical GC base pairs, while telomeric G-quadruplex motifs better preserve their native form up to a stated field-strength threshold. They argue this could allow selective mutations in genetic code without corresponding transcription of errors into telomeres.",
    "key_points": [
        "The study uses theoretical calculations to examine DNA structural responses to electric fields.",
        "Pulsed electric fields are reported to induce permanent noncanonical Watson-Crick GC base pairs in the modeled system.",
        "Telomeric G-quadruplex motifs are described as more resistant to field-induced perturbations than canonical duplex DNA.",
        "A field-strength threshold is reported up to which G-quadruplexes maintain native forms, near a limit before duplex destruction.",
        "The authors propose that induced base-pair errors may not be transcribed into telomeres under these conditions.",
        "The abstract does not provide experimental validation in biological systems."
    ],
    "categories": [
        "Mechanisms",
        "In Vitro & Molecular"
    ],
    "tags": [
        "DNA Base Pairing",
        "G-Quadruplex",
        "Telomeres",
        "Pulsed Electric Fields",
        "Theoretical Calculations",
        "Genetic Mutations",
        "DNA Structural Stability"
    ],
    "keywords": [
        "G-quadruplex",
        "telomeres",
        "electric fields",
        "pulsed electric fields",
        "DNA errors",
        "guanine-cytosine base pairs",
        "Watson-Crick",
        "theoretical calculations"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [],
    "social": {
        "tweet": "Theoretical study suggests pulsed electric fields may induce noncanonical GC base pairs in DNA, while telomeric G-quadruplex motifs better resist perturbation up to a reported field-strength threshold. (Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2017)",
        "facebook": "A theoretical paper in Phys Chem Chem Phys (2017) reports calculations suggesting pulsed electric fields could induce noncanonical GC base pairs in DNA, while telomeric G-quadruplex structures may better preserve their native form under similar perturbations.",
        "linkedin": "Phys Chem Chem Phys (2017) reports theoretical calculations on DNA under pulsed electric fields, suggesting noncanonical GC base pairs may form while telomeric G-quadruplex motifs show greater resistance up to a reported field-strength threshold."
    }
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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