Structural highlights
Publication Abstract from PubMed
We have solved the single crystal X-ray structure of the synthetic DNA hexamer d(CCGCGG). The central alternating tetramer forms a Z-DNA duplex. The initial cytosine of each strand of the duplex swings out and forms a Watson-Crick base-pair with the terminal guanine of a symmetry-related molecule. Thus, two symmetry-related DNA molecules form a twin with intermolecular base-pairs at both ends. Such a twin is additionally stabilized by a sodium ion located on a dyad axis between two DNA duplexes. The total structure has recombination-like features. It also provides a model for B/Z junctions. The crystal used in this study belongs to space group C222(1) with a = 34.33 A, b = 44.04 A and c = 38.27 A. The structure was solved by molecular replacement using partial models, and refined by molecular dynamics simulated annealing and positional treatment. The refinement has been concluded with an R-factor of 18.5% for 2377 reflections with F > or = 2 sigma (F) in the resolution region 8.0 to 1.92 A. The asymmetric unit contains two strands of d(CCGCGG) and 38 water molecules.
Recombination-like structure of d(CCGCGG).,Malinina L, Urpi L, Salas X, Huynh-Dinh T, Subirana JA J Mol Biol. 1994 Oct 28;243(3):484-93. PMID:7966274[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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