DNA duplex with the potential to change handedness after every half a turn

Nucleic Acids Res. 1989 Sep 25;17(18):7273-81. doi: 10.1093/nar/17.18.7273.

Abstract

Polymorphic forms of the DNA duplex with long stretches of structural monotony are known. Several alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences have been shown to adopt left-handed Z-conformation. We report a DNA sequence d(CGCGCGATCGAT)n exhibiting alternating right-handed B and left-handed Z helical conformation after every half a turn. Further, this unusual conformation with change in handedness after every six base pairs was induced at physiological superhelical density.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA / ultrastructure*
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes / metabolism
  • DNA, Superhelical / ultrastructure
  • Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Plasmids
  • Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Superhelical
  • DNA
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes
  • Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases