Abstract

Four-stranded structures called RNA G-quadruplexes (RG4s) are known to regulate DNA-related activities and gene expression mechanisms ranging from transcription to protein synthesis. Targeting these structures for therapeutic purposes is an appealing option because of their potential to shape cellular processes related to disease development through their influence on RNA biology. Here, we provide an overview of the state of the art regarding RG4s, emphasizing the most recent findings that lend credence to the idea of transient structures that dynamically fluctuate in cellulo, their interactions with RNA modifications, their function in cell compartmentalization, and their dysregulation affecting the host immune response. We highlight RG4-binding proteins as effectors of their biological functions and determinants of their transient conformation.