Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
4️⃣ Four-part structure 🧬 Four-stranded DNA
quadruplex

quadruplex

9.9
A four-stranded shape in DNA or RNA formed by guanine-rich sequences
  • noun
  • /kwɒdruːplɛks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cuádruplex
  • The quadruplex formation in RNA has been linked to cancer development, making it a target for new therapies.
  • G-quadruplex

Examples

  • To comprehensively map the renal proteome and to identify HF-induced changes in protein expression, we used quadruplex iTRAQ labeling.

    Academic text (2018)

  • The capacity of the exposed coding strand to form stable G-quadruplex (G4) structures could further stabilize R-loops44,45.

    Academic text (2018)

  • Researchers discovered a quadruplex structure in the DNA that could play a crucial role in gene regulation.

  • Scientists are studying how quadruplexes influence the stability of genetic material in living organisms.

Surface Forms

quadruplex singular
quadruplexes plural

Morphology

quadruplex = quadruple (semi-transparent) = quadru + plex

The biological context of a 'four-stranded nucleic-acid structure' is specialized, but the 'quadru-' prefix indicates four parts.

Etymology

In biology, quadruplex has the same parts quadru- 'four' and -plex 'fold', so it means a 'fourfold' shape — a DNA or RNA structure where four strands come together and is often called a G-quadruplex.