Work

Multiple DNA secondary structures in perfect inverted repeat inserts in plasmids. Right-handed B-DNA, cruciforms, and left-handed Z-DNA.

Year: 1988

Type: article

Abstract: The capabilities of five recombinant plasmids, containing relatively long (approximately 60-100 base pairs) perfect inverted repeat (IR) inserts, to support supercoil stabilized non-B-DNA structures were studied in vitro. The IRs were also alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences, thus, each could form either left-handed Z-DNA or cruciforms. Single-strand specific endonucleases, restriction endonucleases and methylases, and OsO4 modifications were used to characterize the DNA structures. Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic studies indicated that three of the five IRs formed both cruciforms and Z-DNA. (C-G) containing inserts preferred to form Z-DNA, whereas (T-G) sequences favored cruciforms. In vivo supercoil relaxation experiments demonstrated the existence of cruciforms in Escherichia coli. The physiological significance of these structures is discussed.

Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry

DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)68240-7

Authors: J A Blaho, J E Larson, M J McLean, R D Wells

Institutions: University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,430

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences