Comparison of base inclination of ribo-AU and deoxyribo-AT polymers

Biopolymers. 1995 Sep;36(3):303-12. doi: 10.1002/bip.360360305.

Abstract

The inclination angle between the base normal and the helix axis is measured for ribo-AU polymers by using flow linear dichroism (LD), and compared to measurements for deoxyribo-AT polymers under dehydrating conditions. The CD of the DNA polymers under the dehydrating conditions is not the same as the corresponding RNA polymers, which are presumed to be in the A form. However, the LD indicates that poly(dAdT)-poly(dAdT) can assume the A form in 80% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, although poly(dA)-poly(dT) retains B form structure in this dehydrating solvent. The inclination angles are similar for B form poly(dAdT)-poly(dAdT) and poly(dA)-poly(dT), and these parameters are also similar for A form poly(rArU)-poly(rArU) and poly(rA)-poly(rU). All inclination axes are similar.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenine
  • Algorithms
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Nucleosides
  • Poly A-U / chemistry*
  • Poly dA-dT / chemistry*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thymine

Substances

  • Nucleosides
  • Poly A-U
  • Poly dA-dT
  • Adenine
  • Thymine