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. 1988 Jan 11;16(1):279–289. doi: 10.1093/nar/16.1.279

Conformation of the synthetic DNA poly(amino2dA-dT) duplex in high-salt and aqueous alcohol solutions.

M Vorlícková 1, J Sági 1, A Szabolcs 1, A Szemzö 1, L Otvös 1, J Kypr 1
PMCID: PMC334626  PMID: 3340526

Abstract

It has previously been demonstrated by other workers that the duplex of a synthetic DNA poly(amino2dA-dT) undergoes a salt-induced conformational isomerization. We show in the present work using circular dichroism that the same isomerization is induced in poly(amino2dA-dT) by various alcohols. The isomerization was originally identified as the B-to-Z and then B-to-A conformational transition of DNA but we demonstrate that the high-salt or alcohol conformation of poly (amino2dA-dT) is the non Z-DNA zig-zag double helix we have previously observed with poly(dA-dT) and called X-DNA. X-DNA is a cesium cation specific conformation of poly(dA-dT) while no similar cation specificity is observed with poly(amino2dA-dT). Thus it appears that the extra amino group attached to A and cesium cations make the same thing; they probably dehydrate the double helix minor groove and relieve its conformational variability. Poly(amino2dA-dT) is exceptionally stable in X-DNA and conditions inducing it are mild, which opens the door to assess its molecular structure.

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Selected References

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