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Background: Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) are crucial for regulating gene expression, and G-quadruplexes (G4s), as prototypal non-canonical DNA structures, may play a role in this regulation. However, the relationship between G4s and CREs, especially with non-promoter-like functional elements, requires further systematic investigation. We aimed to investigate the associations between G4s and human cCREs (candidate CREs) inferred from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) data. Results: We found that G4s are prominently enriched in most types of cCREs, especially those with promoter-like signatures (PLS). The co-occurrence of CTCF signals with H3K4me3 or H3K27ac signals strengthens the association between cCREs and G4s. Genetic variants in G4s, particularly within their G-runs, exhibit higher regulatory potential and deleterious effects compared to cCREs. The G-runs within G4s near transcriptional start sites (TSSs) are more evolutionarily constrained compared to G-runs in cCREs, while those far from the TSS are relatively less conserved. The presence of G4s is often linked to a more favorable local chromatin environment for the activation and execution of regulatory function of cCREs, potentially attributable to the formation of G4 secondary structures. Finally, we discovered that G4-associated cCREs exhibit widespread activation in a variety of cancers. Conclusions: Our study suggests that G4s are integral components of human cis-regulatory elements, extending beyond their potential role in promoters. The G4 primary sequences are associated with the localization of CREs, while the G4 structures are linked to the activation of these elements. Therefore, we propose defining G4s as pivotal regulatory elements in the human genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) are crucial for regulating gene expression, and G-quadruplexes (G4s), as prototypal non-canonical DNA structures, may play a role in this regulation. However, the relationship between G4s and CREs, especially with non-promoter-like functional elements, requires further systematic investigation. We aimed to investigate the associations between G4s and human cCREs (candidate CREs) inferred from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) data. Results We found that G4s are prominently enriched in most types of cCREs, especially those with promoter-like signatures (PLS). The co-occurrence of CTCF signals with H3K4me3 or H3K27ac signals strengthens the association between cCREs and G4s. Genetic variants in G4s, particularly within their G-runs, exhibit higher regulatory potential and deleterious effects compared to cCREs. The G-runs within G4s near transcriptional start sites (TSSs) are more evolutionarily constrained compared to G-runs in cCREs, while those far from the TSS are relatively less conserved. The presence of G4s is often linked to a more favorable local chromatin environment for the activation and execution of regulatory function of cCREs, potentially attributable to the formation of G4 secondary structures. Finally, we discovered that G4-associated cCREs exhibit widespread activation in a variety of cancers. Conclusions Our study suggests that G4s are integral components of human cis-regulatory elements, extending beyond their potential role in promoters. The G4 primary sequences are associated with the localization of CREs, while the G4 structures are linked to the activation of these elements. Therefore, we propose defining G4s as pivotal regulatory elements in the human genome.

In this paper, we infer how the estimates of firm value by "optimists" and "pessimists" evolve in response to information shocks. Specifically, we examine returns and disagreement measures for portfolios of short-sale-constrained stocks that have experienced large gains or large losses. Our analysis suggests the presence of two groups, one of which overreacts to new information and remains biased over about 5 years, and a second group, which underreacts and whose expectations are unbiased after about 1 year. Our results have implications for the belief dynamics that underlie the momentum and long-term reversal effect. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix , which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We generate new evidence on disagreement among traders in the S&P 500 options market from high-frequency intraday price and volume data. Inference on disagreement is based on a model where investors observe public information but agree to disagree on its interpretation; disagreement among investors is captured by the volume–volatility elasticity. For options, there are two natural variables related to disagreement: moneyness and tenor, which we relate to disagreement about the distribution of the market index at different quantiles and times. The estimated volume–volatility elasticity equals unity for options near the money and close to expiration, which is consistent with the case of no disagreement among investors. In contrast, the elasticity estimates decrease with increases in the absolute value of moneyness, indicating investors have a higher disagreement about rare events. Likewise, the elasticity decreases with increases in tenor, implying higher investors' disagreement about more distant events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background G-quadruplex DNA (G4) is a non-canonical structure forming in guanine-rich regions, which play a vital role in cancer biology and are now being acknowledged in both nuclear and mitochondrial (mt) genome. However, the impact of G4-based targeted therapy on both nuclear and mt genome, affecting mt function and its underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Methods The mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects of a G4-binding platinum(II) complex, Pt-ttpy, on mitochondria were conducted through a comprehensive approaches with in vitro and in vivo models, including ICP-MS for platinum measurement, PCR-based genetic analysis, western blotting (WB), confocal microscope for mt morphology study, extracellular flux analyzer, JC1 and Annexin V apoptosis assay, flow cytometry and high content microscope screening with single-cell quantification of both ROS and mt specific ROS, as well as click-chemistry for IF study of mt translation. Decipher Pt-ttpy effects on nuclear-encoded mt related genes expression were undertaken via RNA-seq, Chip-seq and CUT-RUN assays. Results Pt-ttpy, shows a highest accumulation in the mitochondria of A2780 cancer cells as compared with two other platinum(II) complexes with no/weak G4-binding properties, Pt-tpy and cisplatin. Pt-ttpy induces mtDNA deletion, copy reduction and transcription inhibition, hindering mt protein translation. Functional analysis reveals potent mt dysfunction without reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction. Mechanistic study provided first evidence that most of mt ribosome genes are highly enriched in G4 structures in their promoter regions, notably, Pt-ttpy impairs most nuclear-encoded mt ribosome genes’ transcription through dampening the recruiting of transcription initiation and elongation factors of NELFB and TAF1 to their promoter with G4-enriched sequences. In vivo studies show Pt-ttpy’s efficient anti-tumor effects, disrupting mt genome function with fewer side effects than cisplatin. Conclusion This study underscores Pt-ttpy as a G4-binding platinum(II) complex, effectively targeting cancer mitochondria through dual action on mt and nuclear G4-enriched genomes without inducing ROS, offering promise for safer and effective platinum-based G4-targeted cancer therapy. Graphical Abstract

This paper discusses some of the important insights from behavioral finance for international monetary and financial analysis. A broad approach to behavioral finance is advocated which includes analysis of the effects of uncertainty, perverse incentives, and complexity economics as well as the cognitive biases focused on in the initial contributions to behavioral finance. It offers reasons why capital mobility is often not perfect and expectations are sometimes not rational. Correctly interpreted it is not a wholesale attack on efficient market theory but rather argues that markets can behave differently at different times, being efficient sometimes and subject to destabilize or insufficiently stabilizing speculation at others and focuses on the conditions that make different types of behavior more likely. It helps provide insights into issues such as currency crisis, the effects of official intervention in foreign exchange markets, the international monetary trilemma, capital flow surges and reversals, the discipline effects of fixed exchange rates and international financial markets and why uncovered interest rate parity often does not hold.

The study investigates the impact of investor attention on stock trading by modeling the relationship between Google Search intensity and stock return with stocks listed in frontier markets in Vietnam from October 2016 to October 2021. The study has three findings. First, the study confirms the price pressure hypothesis and attention theory that Google Search intensity positively affects stock returns. Second, this study indicates that the impact of Google Search intensity on stock price is short-term. The positive effect is within the week of searching and reverses the following week, although the reverse force is not strong. Third, the relationship is more robust during COVID-19 than in the pre-pandemic period, suggesting that after a shock, more new individual investors enter the market, the impact of GSVI on stock return is more substantial.

G-quadruplexes (G4) are non-canonical, four-stranded, nucleic acid secondary structures formed in the guanine-rich sequences, where guanine nucleotides associate with each other via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. These structures are widely found near the functional regions of the mammalian genome, such as telomeres, oncogenic promoters, and replication origins, and play crucial regulatory roles in replication and transcription. Destabilization of G4 by various carcinogenic agents allows oncogene overexpression and extension of telomeric ends resulting in dysregulation of cellular growth–promoting oncogenesis. Therefore, targeting and stabilizing these G4 structures with potential ligands could aid cancer prevention and therapy. The field of G-quadruplex targeting is relatively nascent, although many articles have demonstrated the effect of G4 stabilization on oncogenic expressions; however, no previous study has provided a comprehensive analysis about the potency of a wide variety of nutraceuticals and some of their derivatives in targeting G4 and the lattice of oncogenic cell signaling cascade affected by them. In this review, we have discussed bioactive G4-stabilizing nutraceuticals, their sources, mode of action, and their influence on cellular signaling, and we believe our insight would bring new light to the current status of the field and motivate researchers to explore this relatively poorly studied arena. Schematic diagram depicting nutraceuticals' role in attenuating cancer progression [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intricate mechanisms underlying transcription‐dependent genome instability involve G‐quadruplexes (G4) and R‐loops. This perspective elucidates the potential link between these structures and genome instability in aging. The co‐occurrence of G4 DNA and RNA–DNA hybrid structures (G‐loop) underscores a complex interplay in genome regulation and instability. Here, we hypothesize that the age‐related decline of sirtuin function leads to an increase in acetylated helicases that bind to G4 DNA and RNA–DNA hybrid structures, but are less efficient in resolving them. We propose that acetylated, less active, helicases induce persistent G‐loop structures, promoting transcription‐dependent genome instability in aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: G-quadruplex DNA (G4) is a non-canonical structure forming in guanine-rich regions, which play a vital role in cancer biology and are now being acknowledged in both nuclear and mitochondrial (mt) genome. However, the impact of G4-based targeted therapy on both nuclear and mt genome, affecting mt function and its underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Methods: The mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects of a G4-binding platinum(II) complex, Pt-ttpy, on mitochondria were conducted through a comprehensive approaches with in vitro and in vivo models, including ICP-MS for platinum measurement, PCR-based genetic analysis, western blotting (WB), confocal microscope for mt morphology study, extracellular flux analyzer, JC1 and Annexin V apoptosis assay, flow cytometry and high content microscope screening with single-cell quantification of both ROS and mt specific ROS, as well as click-chemistry for IF study of mt translation. Decipher Pt-ttpy effects on nuclear-encoded mt related genes expression were undertaken via RNA-seq, Chip-seq and CUT-RUN assays. Results: Pt-ttpy, shows a highest accumulation in the mitochondria of A2780 cancer cells as compared with two other platinum(II) complexes with no/weak G4-binding properties, Pt-tpy and cisplatin. Pt-ttpy induces mtDNA deletion, copy reduction and transcription inhibition, hindering mt protein translation. Functional analysis reveals potent mt dysfunction without reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction. Mechanistic study provided first evidence that most of mt ribosome genes are highly enriched in G4 structures in their promoter regions, notably, Pt-ttpy impairs most nuclear-encoded mt ribosome genes' transcription through dampening the recruiting of transcription initiation and elongation factors of NELFB and TAF1 to their promoter with G4-enriched sequences. In vivo studies show Pt-ttpy's efficient anti-tumor effects, disrupting mt genome function with fewer side effects than cisplatin. Conclusion: This study underscores Pt-ttpy as a G4-binding platinum(II) complex, effectively targeting cancer mitochondria through dual action on mt and nuclear G4-enriched genomes without inducing ROS, offering promise for safer and effective platinum-based G4-targeted cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease is an immune-mediated condition comprised of a number of various disorders sharing unique pathologic, serologic, and clinical features. Diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing mastitis is challenging as the clinical and imaging findings mimic breast malignancies or other types of inflammatory mastitis. Herein, we describe a case of a female patient with a painless palpable mass in her right breast. An excisional core biopsy led to the rare diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing mastitis, and the patient received steroid treatment for a month. To date, the patient has remained disease-free without any recurrence. As immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing mastitis is a very rare disease, further studies are needed to reach conclusions about the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Infectious Bursal Disease is caused by a virus of the Birnaviridae family, belonging to the genus Avibirnavirus, which continues to represent a challenge for poultry production worldwide. In South America, genogroup 4 viral strains (dIBDV) have previously been detected in commercial broiler flocks. The emergence of variants needs to be constantly monitored to assess the risk of outbreaks even in vaccinated animals. The aim of this study was to identify the regional prevalence of dIBDV and evaluate its impacts on immune system organs and the performance of infected flocks in Parana state, Brazil. Thirty broiler flocks were evaluated, with an average of 24,949 birds per flock, aged between 18 and 23 d. Five Bursa of Fabricius samples were collected per flock for IBDV detection and genotyping. Positive samples for dIBDV in RFLP were submitted to sequencing of a fragment of the hypervariable region of the VP2 gene. Five samples of bursa of Fabricius, thymus, spleen, cecal tonsils and bone marrow were also collected per flock for histopathological analysis. Of the 30 flocks evaluated, in 10 (33%) IBDV from genogroup 4 (dIBDV) was detected. Flocks infected by dIBDV had significantly higher Bursa of Fabricius lesions than flocks negative for dIBDV. Flocks positive for dIBDV had their performance negatively impacted, through worsening feed conversion and an increase in mortality compared to negative flocks for dIBDV. In conclusion, genogroup 4 IBDV is capable of causing productive and health losses in broilers in Paraná, Brazil. The results of this study can help to better understand the dynamics of dIBDV infection in Brazil and to direct actions in the control of the disease.

G-quadruplexes or G4s are non-canonical secondary structures of nucleic acids characterized by guanines arranged in stacked tetraplex arrays. Decades of research into these peculiar assemblies of DNA and RNA, fueled by the development and optimization of a vast array of techniques and assays, has resulted in a large amount of information regarding their structure, stability, localization, and biological significance in native systems. A plethora of articles have reported the roles of G-quadruplexes in multiple pathways across several species, ranging from gene expression regulation to RNA biogenesis and trafficking, DNA replication, and genome maintenance. Crucially, a large amount of experimental evidence has highlighted the roles of G-quadruplexes in cancer biology and other pathologies, pointing at these structurally unique guanine assemblies as amenable drug targets. Given the rapid expansion of this field of research, this review aims at summarizing all the relevant aspects of G-quadruplex biology by combining and discussing results from seminal works as well as more recent and cutting-edge experimental evidence. Additionally, the most common methodologies used to study G4s are presented to aid the reader in critically interpreting and integrating experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are noncanonical nucleic acid structures that play significant roles in regulating various biological processes, including replication, transcription, translation, and recombination. Recent studies have identified G4s in the genomes of several viruses, such as herpes viruses, hepatitis viruses, and human coronaviruses. These structures are implicated in regulating viral transcription, replication, and virion production, influencing viral infectivity and pathogenesis. G4-stabilizing ligands, like TMPyP4, PhenDC3, and BRACO19, show potential antiviral properties by targeting and stabilizing G4 structures, inhibiting essential viral life-cycle processes. This review delves into the existing literature on G4's involvement in viral regulation, emphasizing specific G4-stabilizing ligands. While progress has been made in understanding how these ligands regulate viruses, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms through which G4s impact viral processes. More research is necessary to develop G4-stabilizing ligands as novel antiviral agents. The increasing body of literature underscores the importance of G4s in viral biology and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies against viral infections. Despite some ligands' known regulatory effects on viruses, a deeper comprehension of the multifaceted impact of G4s on viral processes is essential. This review advocates for intensified research to unravel the intricate relationship between G4s and viral processes, paving the way for novel antiviral treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of financial experts is to provide their professional judgments with an opinion included in the financial reports after reviewing an entity's financial information, following a specific audit process. We investigate whether confirmation bias (through prior audit opinions) occurs among auditors during the audit process and decision-making, and whether experience mitigates this effect. A total of 175 non-experienced auditors run a 2x4 between-subjects experiment (experiment 1) studying how financial information (IV with two levels: negative and neutral/positive) and previous audit report (IV with four levels: absence, negative, moderately negative, and positive) might influence the issuance of the subsequent decision-making (DV). In addition, a total of 32 junior level 1 auditors (less than one year of experience), 31 junior level 2 auditors (up to 3 years of experience) and 20 senior auditors (more than 3 years of experience) run a 2 × 4 × 3 between-subjects experiment (experiment 2) analyzing if experience (IV with three levels of experience: less than one-year, between one and three years, more than three years) mitigates this effect (experiment 2). Results confirm that the previous-year audit report affect auditors' current assessment, showing that positive and negative prior opinions persuade auditors when suggesting the next one. This finding is relevant as auditors' opinions could be conditioned by prior opinions instead of their own expertise. Our evidence also suggests that professional experience mitigates this influence on auditors' assessments. Consequently, this study has relevant implications for partners, audit professionals and audit firm recruiters. A general implication is that auditor training courses should reinforce the auditor's own expertise and criteria based on the deep analysis of financial and economic data rather than on the work of previous auditors.

We analysed herding behaviour in the recent pandemic and conflict. We employed the cross-sectional dispersion of daily stock returns to estimate herding's intensity in the Saudi stock market. We conducted all analyses for the entire sample and four sub-samples. Additionally, we investigate the existence of the asymmetry in the investors' responses; whether there are differences between up and down markets and between high-volatility and low-volatility days. We found that herding did not occur in the pre-COVID-19, occurred in the during-COVID-19, disappeared in the post-COVID-19 and did not occur during the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Robustness checks confirm our finding that herding manifested in the during-COVID-19 period. Additionally, no difference exists between bearish and bullish or high-and low-volatility days, pushing aside the asymmetry in the investors' responses. This study may raise investors' awareness of their cognitive bias's influence on their decisions, improving market efficiency by increasing the rationality of investors' decisions.

While the role of G quadruplex (G4) structures has been identified in cancers and metabolic disorders, single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and their effect on G4s in disease contexts have not been extensively studied. The COSMIC and CLINVAR databases were used to detect SNVs present in G4s to identify sequence level changes and their effect on the alteration of the G4 secondary structure. A total of 37,515 G4 SNVs in the COSMIC database and 2378 in CLINVAR were identified. Of those, 7236 COSMIC (19.3%) and 457 (19%) of the CLINVAR variants result in G4 loss, while 2728 (COSMIC) and 129 (CLINVAR) SNVs gain a G4 structure. The remaining variants potentially affect the folding energy without affecting the presence of a G4. Analysis of mutational patterns in the G4 structure shows a higher selective pressure (3-fold) in the coding region on the template strand compared to the reverse strand. At the same time, an equal proportion of SNVs were observed among intronic, promoter, and enhancer regions across strands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Using composite methods of quantum chemical calculations and the atomization method, the values of the enthalpy of formation for a test set of 79 compounds in gas phase have been calculated with accuracy of 3.8, 4.5, and 4.7 kJ/mol for the G4, G4MP2, and CBS-QB3 methods, respectively. According to the results of statistical analysis of deviations of theoretical values from experimental ones, the presence of an error occurring at the geometry optimization step due to neglected correlation effects has been revealed. For aliphatic amines and alcohols from the considered set of compounds, the values of the pKa for aqueous solutions have been calculated using the G4 method including solvent effects according to the CPCM model. The existence of a correlation between the error in the pKa calculation and the differences in energy values between the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals for conjugated acid and base forms in the solution phase has been revealed. A method has been suggested to refine the calculation results, using which the pKa values for 20 amines and 20 alcohols have been determined with accuracy of 0.67 and 0.87 pKa units, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is the trust that participants have in their pension fund affected by its funding ratio (i.e., asset/liabilities ratio)? Based on survey, carried out in October 2021, among Dutch pension fund participants we link our survey data to the funding ratio of their pension fund as registered by the pension regulator. First, we show that the level of the funding ratio of their pension fund is positively associated with the trust level of participants. Pension funds with large buffers are associated with a high level of trust. Second, sub-group analyses show that the trust of younger participants is weakly related to the level of the funding ratio and this association is strong and positive for older (55+)/retired participants. It suggests that an interest in or awareness about the financial health of one's pension fund is associated with a higher responsiveness of participants in terms of trust. And third, firm-based pension funds enjoy a higher level of trust compared to sector-based pension funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notable surge in capital flows in recent years has emerged as a key factor shaping the dynamics of international financial markets and influencing economic performance of emerging economies. Even though macroeconomic fundamentals of an economy can explain some of the patterns in international capital flows, behavioral factors also seem to be essential for positioning capital flows across countries. In this study, we aim to examine whether overall economic sentiment towards Turkish economy plays a significant role on net portfolio flows to Türkiye. To this end, we first construct a novel text-based sentiment index called ''Turkish Economic Sentiment Index (TESI)'', to capture the behavioral tendencies of international investors and media towards Türkiye. Our subsequent step integrates TESI into autoregressive distributed lag models (ARDL) alongside major pull-push determinants to assess whether market sentiment holds discernible influence on capital influx into Turkey. The results reveal that the TESI and VIX stand out as pivotal determinants influencing international portfolio flows. The TESI has a positive impact on portfolio flow dynamics, whereas the degree of global risk aversion inversely affects these flows. These findings align with the contention that a favorable sentiment can boost portfolio inflows to emerging markets. Conversely, heightened volatility expectations in global markets can prompt outflows from these economies.

Because of the convergence of demographic, political, and economic trends, retirement has become a significant stage of human life, which currently requires thoughtful and careful planning. Therefore, social pension schemes – a type of system under which the benefits are being provided – and women’s individual saving decisions should give consideration to the fact that it is necessary to accumulate additional funds which should be sufficient for several decades after retirement.

This paper employs a big data source, the Borsa Istanbul's “data analytics” information, to predict 5-min up, down, and steady signs drawn from closing price changes. Seven machine learning algorithms are compared with 2018 data for the entire year. Success levels for each method are reported for 26 liquid stocks in terms of macro-averaged F-measures. For the 5-min lagged data, nine equities are found to be statistically predictable. For lagged data over longer periods, equities remain predictable, decreasing gradually to zero as the markets absorb the data over time. Furthermore, economic gains for the nine equities are analyzed with algorithms where short selling is allowed or not allowed depending on these predictions. Four equities are found to yield more economic gains via machine learning–supported trading strategies than the equities' own price performances. Under the “efficient market hypothesis,” the results imply a lack of “semistrong-form efficiency.”

AbstractThis study explores the importance of central bank independence on stock market outcomes. Specifically, we examine the effects of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decree, which removes the top officials of the Central Bank of Turkey, on Borsa Istanbul returns. We use a well-established event study methodology for five events from 20 July 2018, to 11 November 2021. The results show that the market is sensitive to the dismissal decrees in that they have positive effects on cumulative abnormal returns in the first two events, while the three events that follow have negative effects on cumulative abnormal returns. Our results support the importance of central bank independence, revealing that political intervention in central banks has a robust, positive, negative, and significant impact on stock market outcomes.

The aberrant expansion of GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeats within the first intron of the C9orf72 gene represent the predominant genetic etiology underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontal temporal dementia (FTD). The transcribed r(GGGGCC)n RNA repeats form RNA foci, which recruit RNA binding proteins and impede their normal cellular functions, ultimately resulting in fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the non-canonical translation of the r(GGGGCC)n sequence can generate dipeptide repeats, which have been postulated as pathological causes. Comprehensive structural analyses of r(GGGGCC)n have unveiled its polymorphic nature, exhibiting the propensity to adopt dimeric, hairpin, or G-quadruplex conformations, all of which possess the capacity to interact with RNA binding proteins. Small molecules capable of binding to r(GGGGCC)n have been discovered and proposed as potential lead compounds for the treatment of ALS and FTD. Some of these molecules function in preventing RNA–protein interactions or impeding the phase transition of r(GGGGCC)n. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the recent advancements in the structural characterization of r(GGGGCC)n, its propensity to form RNA foci, and its interactions with small molecules and proteins. Specifically, we emphasize the structural diversity of r(GGGGCC)n and its influence on partner binding. Given the crucial role of r(GGGGCC)n in the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD, the primary objective of this review is to facilitate the development of therapeutic interventions targeting r(GGGGCC)n RNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G-quadruplexes or G4s are non-canonical secondary structures of nucleic acids characterized by guanines arranged in stacked tetraplex arrays. Decades of research into these peculiar assemblies of DNA and RNA, fueled by the development and optimization of a vast array of techniques and assays, has resulted in a large amount of information regarding their structure, stability, localization, and biological significance in native systems. A plethora of articles have reported the roles of G-quadruplexes in multiple pathways across several species, ranging from gene expression regulation to RNA biogenesis and trafficking, DNA replication, and genome maintenance. Crucially, a large amount of experimental evidence has highlighted the roles of G-quadruplexes in cancer biology and other pathologies, pointing at these structurally unique guanine assemblies as amenable drug targets. Given the rapid expansion of this field of research, this review aims at summarizing all the relevant aspects of G-quadruplex biology by combining and discussing results from seminal works as well as more recent and cutting-edge experimental evidence. Additionally, the most common methodologies used to study G4s are presented to aid the reader in critically interpreting and integrating experimental data.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are noncanonical nucleic acid structures that play significant roles in regulating various biological processes, including replication, transcription, translation, and recombination. Recent studies have identified G4s in the genomes of several viruses, such as herpes viruses, hepatitis viruses, and human coronaviruses. These structures are implicated in regulating viral transcription, replication, and virion production, influencing viral infectivity and pathogenesis. G4-stabilizing ligands, like TMPyP4, PhenDC3, and BRACO19, show potential antiviral properties by targeting and stabilizing G4 structures, inhibiting essential viral life-cycle processes. This review delves into the existing literature on G4’s involvement in viral regulation, emphasizing specific G4-stabilizing ligands. While progress has been made in understanding how these ligands regulate viruses, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms through which G4s impact viral processes. More research is necessary to develop G4-stabilizing ligands as novel antiviral agents. The increasing body of literature underscores the importance of G4s in viral biology and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies against viral infections. Despite some ligands’ known regulatory effects on viruses, a deeper comprehension of the multifaceted impact of G4s on viral processes is essential. This review advocates for intensified research to unravel the intricate relationship between G4s and viral processes, paving the way for novel antiviral treatments.

The study aims to show the impact of financial knowledge among rural consumers' access to financial technology services. In general, knowledge regarding any particular fact helps consumers to select or reject different options. Therefore, knowledge regarding financial services is considered a factor that influences access to financial technology services. This study carries out a survey-oriented method with a structured questionnaire. According to the data category, this study uses three well-known econometric models: logistic regression, probit regression, and complementary log–log regression, have been experimented. This study finds that knowledge regarding various factors significantly impact on access to financial technology services. Mainly, this study has important practical significance for the use of rural finance and financial technology in rural areas, which affects the entire economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining the health of the proteome is a critical cellular task. Recently, we found G-quadruplex (G4) nucleic acids are especially potent at preventing protein aggregation in vitro and could at least indirectly improve the protein folding environment of Escherichia coli. However, the roles of G4s in protein folding were not yet explored. Here, through in vitro protein folding experiments, we discover that G4s can accelerate protein folding by rescuing kinetically trapped intermediates to both native and near-native folded states. Time-course folding experiments in E. coli further demonstrate that these G4s primarily improve protein folding quality in E. coli as opposed to preventing protein aggregation. The ability of a short nucleic acid to rescue protein folding opens up the possibility of nucleic acids and ATP-independent chaperones to play considerable roles in dictating the ultimate folding fate of proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the polymorphism of the BMP15 (FecXG and FecXI) and GDF9 (G1 and G4) genes and the association between genotypes and litter size in the Akkaraman breed. Blood samples were taken from 100 ewes in total. Genomic DNA was obtained from whole blood. The PCR-RFLP technique was employed to determine the polymorphisms of the genes under investigation. The G1 was the only polymorphic among the four loci analyzed. The frequencies for the GA and GG genotypes were 0.26 and 0.74, respectively, while the A and G allele frequencies were 0.13 and 0.87, respectively. The observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.260 and 0.227, respectively. According to chi-square analysis, the tested Akkaraman population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05). The association analyses showed that the genotypic structure did not significantly affect litter size in the Akkaraman ewes (p > 0.05). However, ewes with one copy of the G1 mutation produced 0.13 more lambs than those without the mutation (p > 0.05), suggesting that heterozygous ewes have a proclivity to increase litter size, as evidenced by previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the growth response of G4 transgenic mutiara catfish reared at different stocking densities. The relative expression ratio levels of CgGH/ß-actin and IGF-1/ß-actin mRNA was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-P CR) in G4 mutiara catfish. Fish were kept for 8 weeks at different stocking densities (treatment A, 15 fish/100 L; B, 12 fish/100 L; C, 10 fish/100 L for transgenic fish; and A*, 15 fish/100 L for non-transgenic fish). The average increase in body weight of G4 mutiara catfish was 1.9–2.3 times higher compared to non-transgenic mutiara catfish at the same stocking densities. The growth response indicates an overexpression of the growth hormone (GH) in G4 mutiara catfish, displaying expression levels 1.3–2.9 higher than in non-transgenic fish. The use of high stocking density (treatment A, 15 fish/100 L) induced overexpression of the exogenous GH (CgGH) and increased the body protein content, as well as improved the feed conversion ratio, protein retention value, and fish protein efficiency ratio, leading to faster body weight gain of G4 transgenic versus non-transgenic mutiara catfish. The growth of G4 catfish in treatments B and C remained higher than in treatment A* (non-transgenic fish), but the growth of non-transgenic catfish was slower. The induction of the CgGH expression level caused an increase in the growth, protein retention, protein efficiency ratio, and IGF-1 expression level of G4 transgenic mutiara catfish. The permanent inheritance of CgGH in G4 fish has the potential to increase the mass production of commercial catfish culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(df,p) and G4 quantum-chemical calculation methods, the calculation of the molecular and electronic structures of boron–nitrogen compounds having the B3N3 composition was carried out and its results were discussed. It was noted that seven isomeric forms with different space structures can exist; wherein, the most stable form is a distorted flat hexagon with alternating B and N atoms, with both B and N atoms forming regular triangles, but with different side lengths. The values of geometric parameters of molecular structures in each of these compounds are presented. Also, the key thermodynamic parameters of formation (enthalpy ΔfH0, entropy S0, Gibbs’ energy ΔfG0) and relative total energies of these compounds are calculated.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are short secondary DNA structures located throughout genomic DNA and transcribed RNA. Although G4 structures have been shown to form in vivo, no current search tools that examine these structures based on previously identified G-quadruplexes and filter them based on similar sequence, structure, and thermodynamic properties are known to exist. We present a framework for clustering G-quadruplex sequences into families using the CD-HIT, MeShClust, and DNACLUST methods along with a combination of Starcode and BLAST. Utilizing this framework to filter and annotate clusters, 95 families of G-quadruplex sequences were identified within the human genome. Profiles for each family were created using hidden Markov models to allow for the identification of additional family members and generate homology probability scores. The thermodynamic folding energy properties, functional annotation of genes associated with the sequences, scores from different prediction algorithms, and transcription factor binding motifs within a family were used to annotate and compare the diversity within and across clusters. The resulting set of G-quadruplex families can be used to further understand how different regions of the genome are regulated by factors targeting specific structures common to members of a specific cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]