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. 1995 Jun 11;23(11):1876–1881. doi: 10.1093/nar/23.11.1876

Compact structures of d(CNG)n oligonucleotides in solution and their possible relevance to fragile X and related human genetic diseases.

J E Mitchell 1, S F Newbury 1, J A McClellan 1
PMCID: PMC306957  PMID: 7596812

Abstract

We show that oligonucleotides of CNG tracts readily adopt compact DNA structures that move unusually fast on gels. Base composition does not explain this, and non-CNG triplets (including GNC) do not form such structures. Chemical probing and melting experiments suggest that the structures probably are not hairpins. Although both long and short tracts can adopt compact structures, the structure formed by longer tracts is more compact than that formed by shorter ones. We note the possibility that such structures may form in vivo, and be instrumental in normal and/or abnormal function of human genes.

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