Insights into G-Quadruplexes and I-Motifs: Structure, Dynamics and Function

Dear Colleagues,

Nucleic acids adopt diverse higher-order structures beyond canonical double helixes, which play a critical role in cellular function. G-quadruplexes (G4s) and i-motifs, as representative non-B DNA structures, regulate fundamental processes such as transcription, DNA repair, and genome stability. The aberrant dynamics of their formation and resolution have been linked to human diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Early studies, largely driven by theoretical and biophysical approaches, established the foundation for our understanding of their structural diversity and stability. More recently, the development of molecular tools—including structure-specific antibodies, fluorescent probes, and ligands—has enabled the direct visualization and functional interrogation of these structures in living cells. Advances in bioinformatics have further revealed that G4- and i-motif-forming sequences are enriched in the regulatory regions of the genome, underscoring their biological importance. Nevertheless, comprehensive integrations of their structural dynamics through the use of functional and disease-related perspectives are still in their infancy, and many unresolved questions remain. This Special Issue welcomes original articles and reviews on G4s, i-motifs, and related non-B DNA structures, including topics ranging from mechanistic insights to disease relevance and therapeutic applications.

Dr. Keiko Kawauchi
Dr. Tamaki Endoh
Guest Editors

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