title: Z-DNA, an active element in the genome.
abstract: Z-DNA is a left-handed helical form of DNA in which the double helix winds to the left in a zigzag pattern. DNA containing alternating purine and pyrimidine repeat tracts have the potential to adopt this non-B structure in vivo under physiological conditions, particularly in actively transcribed regions of the genome. Z-DNA is thought to play a role in the regulation of gene expression; Z-DNA is also thought to be involved in DNA processing events and/or genetic instability. For example, Z-DNA-forming sequences have the potential to enhance the frequencies of recombination, deletion, and translocation events in cellular systems. Although the biological function(s) of Z-DNA and related Z-DNA-binding proteins are not fully understood, accumulating experimental and clinical evidence support the idea that this non-B DNA conformation is involved in several important biological processes and may provide a target for the prevention and treatment of some human diseases. In this review, we discuss the properties of Z-DNA, proteins that are known to bind specifically to Z-DNA, and potential biological functions of this non-canonical DNA structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Carcinogenesis, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park-Research Division, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.
authors.forename: Guliang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Vasquez
mesh_terms: D043542:DNA, Z-Form / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004194:Disease; D015894:Genome, Human; D042822:Genomic Instability; D006801:Humans; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D043542:DNA, Z-Form; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins