Investigating Diversity and Possible Functions of G-Quadruplexes in Regulatory Regions of Maize Genes

G4-quadruplexes are DNA tertiary structures that follow the general pattern G-G-G-N(1,7)-G-G-G-N(1,7)-G-G-G-N(1,7)-G-G-G-N(1,7).  They occur at sites associated with gene regulation in maize and are disproportionately associated with genes that encode biochemical pathways involved in energy status, hypoxia, low sugar, and nutrient deprivation (Andorf et al. 2014. Journal of Genetics and Genomics 41:627-647). We are conducting analyses that seek  to determine whether and how G4 elements: (1) contribute to plant developmental processes, (2)  vary in constitution across diverse germplasm, and (3) could be stacked to modulate the stress response. Here we describe our initial results and outline next steps for these investigations.