AUTHOR=Luo Xiaoqing , Zhang Jianye , Gao Yue , Pan Weifei , Yang Yayuan , Li Xu , Chen Lingfei , Wang Chang , Wang Yuqing 

TITLE=Emerging roles of i-motif in gene expression and disease treatment

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1136251

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2023.1136251

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=As non-canonical nucleic acid secondary structures consisting of cytosine-rich nucleic acids, i-motif structures can be formed under proper conditions. Several i-motif sequences have been identified in the human genome, and these i-motif structures play important roles in biological regulatory functions. Owning physicochemical properties, these i-motif structures draw wide attention and now become new targets for drug development. Here we recapitulated the characteristics and mechanisms of i-motifs which locating in the gene promoters (such as c-myc, Bcl-2, VEGF and telomere), summarized various small molecule ligands which interact with them and the possible binding modes between ligands and i-motifs, and described their effects on gene expression. Furthermore, we discussed the diseases closely associated with i-motifs. In particular, cancer is closely associated with i-motifs since i-motifs can form in some regions of most oncogenes. At the end of the article, we mainly introduced , as well as the recent advances of their application in multiple areas.