Table 3.

Bulge loop initiation enthalpy parameters^a

Bulge length	$\Delta H_{\text{initiation}}^{\text{o}}$ (kcal/mol)	SE (kcal/mol)
1	10.6	1.2
2	7.1	4.3
3	7.1	11.7
n ≥ 4	(7.1)	—

^aNote that the nearest neighbor parameter for stacking of adjacent base pairs is added for bulges with 1 nt. For bulges with >1 nt, calculation of the stabilities of adjacent helices includes the terminal AU penalty terms for AU or GU pairs adjacent to the bulge.