Adenine-driven structural switch from two- to three-quartet DNA G-quadruplex

: A G-rich sequence found in the regulatory region of the RANKL gene, which is associated with homeostasis of bone metabolism, folds into a two-quartet basket-type G-quadruplex stabilized by A⋅G⋅A and G⋅G⋅G base-triads. Perusal of local structural features together with G/A-to-T modifications uncovered the critical role of A5 for the formation of a distinct antiparallel two-quartet topology and not the three-quartet topology that would be expected based on the sequence with four GGG-tracts alone. The structural changes induced by the A5-to-T5 modification include a switch in orientation and relative positions of G-strands that together with anti to syn reorientation of G12 provide insights into the complexity of the interactions that influence the folding of G-rich DNA. Understanding the impact of loop residues on the stability and formation of G-quadruplexes advances our knowledge and ability to predict structures adopted by G-rich sequences, which are involved in regulatory mechanisms in the cell, and may also facilitate drug design.