G-quadruplexes are inherently polymorphic nucleic acid structures. Their folding topology depends on the nucleic acid primary sequence and on physical-chemical environmental factors. Hence, it remains unclear if a G-quadruplex topology determined in the test tube (in vitro) will also form in vivo. Characterization of G-quadruplexes in their native environment has been proposed as an efficient strategy to tackle this issue. So far, characterization of G-quadruplex structures in living cells has relied exclusively on the use of Xenopus laevis oocytes as a eukaryotic cell model system. Here, we describe the protocol for the preparation of X. laevis oocytes for studies of G-quadruplexes as well as other nucleic acids motifs under native conditions using in-cell NMR spectroscopy.

Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute Li Ka Shing Centre University of Cambridge Cambridge UK

CEITEC Central European Institute of Technology Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Institute of Biophysics Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Brno Czech Republic

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