Identification of a G-quadruplex forming sequence in the promoter of UCP1

7Citations
Citations of this article
12Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

G-quadruplexes are higher-order nucleic acid structures formed in G-rich sequences in DNA or RNA. G-quadruplexes are distributed in many locations in the human genome, including promoter regions, and are viewed as promising therapeutic targets. Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) is a mitochondrial thermogenic gene critical for energy expenditure in the form of heat in the brown adipose tissue. UCP1 is only expressed during brown fat cell differentiation and is a candidate target for treating obesity. However, the regulation of UCP1 expression is not clear. We reported here that a G-quadruplex forming sequence exists in the promoter of UCP1. The 5,10,15,20-tetra(Nmethyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin (TMPyP4) enhanced cellular expression of UCP1 and destabilized the G-quadruplex formed by the sequence from the promoter of UCP1. Mutations in the G-quadruplex regulated the cellular activity of UCP1 promoter as evidenced by a UCP1-promoter luciferase assay. These results suggest that G-quadruplex structure is a potential target to regulate the expression of UCP1.

Author supplied keywords

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Zhao, Y., & Uhler, J. P. (2018). Identification of a G-quadruplex forming sequence in the promoter of UCP1. Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica, 50(7), 718–722. https://doi.org/10.1093/abbs/gmy059

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free