title: Are there molecules of nucleoprotamine?
abstract: A short critical review of the data related to protamine and nucleoprotamine (DNP) structure is given. A new model is proposed for DNP structure in which protamine molecules are located in channels between the DNA molecules. DNA molecules are arranged hexagonally in the x-y plane, whereas their relative positions with respect to the z-axis are shifted by 0, 1/3, and 2/3 of the pitch of the double helix. As a result, large cavities are formed in three out of six channels surrounding each DNA molecule where the large grooves are juxtaposed. Protamine molecules are also proposed to have some secondary/tertiary structure prior to complex formation. Inside the channels, a protamine molecule modifies its shape to fill the large grooves of all of the three surrounding DNA molecules simultaneously, and might possibly be in touch with other protamine molecules in neighbouring positions as well. This disposition allows the protamine molecules to be located between DNA molecules without a significant increase in the lattice parameters.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Biology, Estonian Agricultural University, Harku, Estonia. ergo@ebi.ee
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raukas
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mikelsaar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011479:Protamines / Q000737:chemistry*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013094:Spermatozoa; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D011479:Protamines; C015786:deoxyribonucleoprotamine; D004247:DNA