Exploring Alternative Nucleic Acid Structures in Microbial Biology

This research topic focuses on the exploration and analysis of alternative nucleic acid structures within microbial systems, highlighting their importance beyond the traditional B-form DNA. Under specific sequences and conditions, DNA and RNA can adopt non-standard conformations such as bulges, hairpins, cruciforms, triplexes, G-quadruplexes, and i-motifs. These structures are particularly significant because they emerge during crucial cellular activities, especially when DNA unwinds, exposing regions susceptible to forming these alternative structures.

These non-canonical nucleic acid conformations hold universal biological significance, as they are observed not only in DNA but also in RNA. Moreover, their presence is not confined to a single organism type but spans a wide range of biological entities, including yeasts, mammals, protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. The structures are prominently located at telomeres and oncogene promoters, where they have been shown to influence fundamental biological processes such as replication, transcription, and genome stability.

The aim of this research topic is to advance our understanding of these alternative nucleic acid structures within the field of microbiology. Specifically, we seek to unravel their involvement in key microbial processes and the possibility to target them as innovative antimicrobial strategies. By investigating how these structures influence microbial physiology and host-pathogen interactions, we hope to harness these unique conformations for medical and therapeutic advancements.

To delve deeper into the implications of alternative nucleic acid configurations, we invite articles addressing the following themes:

- Identification and Structural Characterization: Systematic studies that focus on identifying and mapping non-standard nucleic acid structures, offering new insights into microbial pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

- Protein Interactions: Investigation of proteins and enzymes that specifically recognize and bind to these structures, elucidating their roles in microbial cellular functions and their interplay with host mechanisms.

- Development of Novel Ligands: Design and synthesis of ligands that interact specifically with these non-traditional nucleic acid structures, aiming to produce antimicrobial effects that could lead to new treatment modalities.

- Biotechnological Tools: Creation of innovative biotechnological applications such as aptamers and synthetically modified oligonucleotides (e.g., peptide nucleic acids [PNA], locked nucleic acids [LNA]), which can detect, target, or inhibit microbial genomes, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic benefits.

- Regulation of Gene Expression: Exploration of how these structures regulate gene expression within microbial systems, understanding their roles in gene regulation, and investigating their implications for designing novel treatment strategies against microbial infections.

By examining these aspects, we aim to broaden the understanding of alternative nucleic acid structures and harness their potential in addressing microbial challenges in health and disease.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: DNA, Pathogenesis, G-quadruplex, i-motif, non-B DNA, RNA, Replication

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.