DNA G-quadruplexes are transcription factor binding hot spots in human chromatin

Gene expression is governed by transcription factors (TFs) that commonly recognize short DNA sequence motifs. However, TF recruitment to genomic target sites in chromatin is complex and many parameters that ultimately dictate binding-site specificity are still unknown. Here, we systematically explore the interaction of TFs with synthetic and endogenous G-quadruplexes (G4s) DNA secondary structures. Our findings reveal that certain TFs are directly recruited to promoters by endogenous G4s with binding affinities comparable to canonical B-DNA binding and that endogenous G4-TF interactions can be disrupted with synthetic small molecule ligands. G4s in promoters are bound by a large number of TFs and associated with high transcriptional activity. This discovery of structure-specific recognition expands our understanding of how TFs regulate gene transcription. Overall design: G4 ChIP-seq experiment to detect the presence of DNA G-Quadruplexes. Three technical replicates and one input per cell type.