Figure 1.

Strategy for the detection of genomic Z-DNA formation. To detect Z-DNA formation, a mammalian expression vector was constructed containing the ADAR1 Z-DNA-binding domain Zα, a (Gly₄–Ser)₃ flexible linker, an NLS and EGFP, called the Z-probe. The cultured cells were transfected with the Z-probe expression vector and subjected to an appropriate stress. Subsequently, Z-DNA formation was quantitatively measured using a ChIP assay with an anti-GFP–specific antibody, followed by real-time PCR using specific primer sets.