DNA duplexes flanked by hybrid duplexes: the solution structure of chimeric junctions in [r(cgcg)d(TATACGCG)]2.
Hybrid duplexes and chimeric duplexes containing hybrid segments linked to pure DNA (or pure RNA) segments are involved in transcription and replication, as well as reverse transcription. A complete understanding of the mechanism of these processes requires detailed information on such duplexes and the junctions between duplexes of differing structure. Using two-dimensional NMR, restrained molecular dynamics and mechanics, and back-calculation refinement against the nuclear Overhauser effect spectra at various mixing times, we have determined the solution structure of the chimeric duplex [r(cgcg)d-(TATACGCG)]2 containing a pure DNA segment in the center of a hybrid duplex. The solution structure differs from the previously determined X-ray structure of the analogous duplex [r(gcg)d(TATACGC)]2, which was found to be A-form throughout [Wang, A.H.-J., et al. (1982) Nature 299, 601-604]. The basic features of the solution structure are (a) the RNA residues are all A-form with C3'-endo sugar conformations, (b) the central DNA segment is B-form, (c) the transition from A-form RNA sugar conformations to B-form DNA sugar conformations involves only the dT5 base step, and (d) although the sugar conformations of the DNA residues A6-G12 are closer to B-form, the basic helical properties of the peripheral RNA.DNA hybrid segments are closer to typical A-form than to B-form.
Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
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D001483:Base Sequence; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry*; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions
D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D012996:Solutions