Dual Recognition Drives Site-Directed G-Quadruplex Stabilization: Exploring Oligonucleotide Design in G4 Ligand-Oligonucleotide Conjugates

Abstract

G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures are increasingly recognized for their roles in key cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation and genome stability, making them attractive therapeutic targets. Selective recognition of individual G4s remains challenging due to the high structural similarity among human G4 motifs. The G4 Ligand-conjugated Oligonucleotide strategy addresses this need by combining the G4-binding capabilities of small-molecule G4-ligands with the sequence specificity of an oligonucleotide complementary to the flanking region of the target G4. Here, we systematically explore how the oligonucleotide component governs G4 binding and stabilization by varying its length, backbone composition, and sequence complementarity. This revealed that efficient G4 recognition depends on a strong interdependence between hybridization and G4-ligand binding, such that both elements cooperatively reinforce complex stability and site specificity. Central mismatches disrupt this dual recognition and reduce selectivity. While longer oligonucleotides hybridize more slowly, they form more stable complexes and show stronger G4 stabilization in thermal melting and polymerase stop assays. Replacing the DNA oligonucleotide with peptide nucleic acid enhances binding strength, thermal stability, and metabolic stability, but selective G4 stabilization is achieved only upon ligand conjugation. Together, these results show how rational oligonucleotide design enables selective and potent recognition of G4 structures using GL-Os.