Exploring the reasons for the large density of triplex-forming oligonucleotide target sequences in the human regulatory regions.
BACKGROUND
DNA duplex sequences that can be targets for triplex formation are highly over-represented in the human genome, especially in regulatory regions.


RESULTS
Here we studied using bioinformatics tools several properties of triplex target sequences in an attempt to determine those that make these sequences so special in the genome.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results strongly suggest that the unique physical properties of these sequences make them particularly suitable as "separators" between protein-recognition sites in the promoter region.
Molecular Modeling and Bioinformatics Unit, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Josep Samitier 1-5, Barcelona 08028, Spain. rgoni@mmb.pcb.ub.es
Josep Ramon
JR
Goñi
Juan Manuel
JM
Vaquerizas
Joaquin
J
Dopazo
Modesto
M
Orozco
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019295:Computational Biology; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000235:genetics; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D009711:Nucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D014157:Transcription Factors; C051802:triplex DNA; D004247:DNA