A possible conformation for double-stranded polynucleotides.
A model is presented for double-stranded polynucleotides which involves side-by-side meshing of the two strands rather than double helical intertwining. The sugar-phosphate backbone has a twisted strip-like character, yet base-pairing of the Watson-Crick type is still possible. Structural features of the basic model are described and coordinates are presented for a representative example. The structure has, on the whole, reasonable sterochemical contacts, and can be shown to produce a fiber diffraction pattern with x-rays not unlike that of the B form of DNA.
D004247:DNA; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008961:Models, Structural; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011066:Poly C; D011068:Poly G; D012313:RNA; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D011068:Poly G; D011066:Poly C; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA