p53 Binds Preferentially to Non-B DNA Structures Formed by the Pyrimidine-Rich Strands of GAA·TTC Trinucleotide Repeats Associated with Friedreich’s Ataxia

Helma, R.; Bažantová, P.; Petr, M.; Adámik, M.; Renčiuk, D.; Tichý, V.; Pastuchová, A.; Soldánová, Z.; Pečinka, P.; Bowater, R.P.; Fojta, M.; Brázdová, M. . Molecules 2019, 24, 2078. doi: 10.3390/molecules24112078

In summary, we show that non-B DNA structures formed by TNR (TTC, GAA, CTG, CAG) and simple T-repeat are recognized by p53. Moreover, p53 prefers non-B DNA structures formed by the pyrimidine-rich strands of the investigated repetitive sequences and that the intact C-terminus is responsible for high p53 affinity to TNR non-B DNA structures. Further studies are needed to understand the precise function of p53 TNR non-B DNA recognition in relation to the development of Friedreich’s ataxia or other diseases coupled with TNR expansion.