Ultrapolymorphic DNA: B, A, Z, and Z super() conformations of Poly(dA-dC) multiplied by poly(dG-dT)

The synthetic polynucleotide poly(dA-dC) multiplied by poly(dG-dT) at low ionic strength is shown to undergo conformational changes in the presence of (tris(2-aminoethyl)amine)zinc(II) chloride (ZnN4). At 100 mu M ZnN4, circular dichroism and super(31)P NMR spectra show the formation of Z DNA. Exper...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemistry (Easton) 1986-01, Vol.25 (9), p.2672-2676
Main Authors: Woisard, A, Fazakerley, G V
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The synthetic polynucleotide poly(dA-dC) multiplied by poly(dG-dT) at low ionic strength is shown to undergo conformational changes in the presence of (tris(2-aminoethyl)amine)zinc(II) chloride (ZnN4). At 100 mu M ZnN4, circular dichroism and super(31)P NMR spectra show the formation of Z DNA. Experiments on polynucleotide samples in which some sequence errors were observed showed that spermine was necessary as well as ZnN4 to induce the Z form. At higher concentrations of spermine and ZnN4, a second Z form (Z super(*)) is observed. Raising the ionic strength inhibits the formation of the Z form, whereas the presence of ethylene glycol favors it.
ISSN:0006-2960