Persuading the Non‐canonical Intercalated‐Motif DNA to Reveal Its Structure

Abstract This invited Team Profile was created by Kevin Li and Liliya Yatsunyk, Swarthmore College PA (USA) John Schneekloth, Jr, (Jay) National Cancer Institute, Frederick MD . They recently published an article on the first crystal structure of intercalated motif (i‐motif or iM) from HRAS oncogene involved in many cancers. The iHRAS solved to 1.8 Å resolution. It contains a tail‐to‐tail dimer two iMs each with six C−C + base pairs. is unique that only pairs out 20 are canonical. extensive network capping connecting interactions unprecedented. structural elements (loops/connecting region) may be targeted ligands proteins as cancer therapies. represents crystallized iM‐forming human promoter. “Crystal Structure iM Oncogene Promoter”, K. S. Li, D. Jordan, L. Y. Lin, E. McCarthy, J. Schneekloth Jr., A. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl 2023 , 62 e202301666