Conformational transitions in oriented fibres of the synthetic polynucleotide poly[d(AT)]·poly[d(AT)] double helix

The synthetic polynucleotide poly[d(AT)]·poly[d(AT)] is of interest in studies of the relationship between nucleic acid structure and function. In particular, A+T-rich regions in DNA double helices have been invoked as centres for controlling the transcription of genetic information. Here we describ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1983-02, Vol.301 (5900), p.535-537
Main Authors: Mahendrasingam, A, Rhodes, N. J, Goodwin, D. C, Nave, C, Pigram, W. J, Fuller, W, Brahms, J, Vergne, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
multidisciplinary
Nucleic Acid Conformation
Poly dA-dT
Polydeoxyribonucleotides
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Sodium
Structure-Activity Relationship
Water
X-Ray Diffraction
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Summary:The synthetic polynucleotide poly[d(AT)]·poly[d(AT)] is of interest in studies of the relationship between nucleic acid structure and function. In particular, A+T-rich regions in DNA double helices have been invoked as centres for controlling the transcription of genetic information. Here we describe conditions for observing by X-ray fibre diffraction the A, B, C and D conformations of Na-poly[d(AT)]·poly[d(AT)], and for inducing transitions between these conformations. The D form emerges as a particularly stable conformation; once assumed, it persists over a wide range of variation in the relative humidity of the fibre environment. Further, while transitions between the B and D conformations are readily reversible, transitions between A and D are much more complex.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/301535a0