title: Cytosine, the double helix and DNA self-assembly.
abstract: DNA self-assembly has crucial implications in reading out the genetic information in the cell and in nanotechnological applications. In a recent paper, self-assembled DNA crystals displaying spectacular triangular motifs have been described (Zheng et al., 2009). The authors claimed that their data demonstrate the possibility to rationally design well-ordered macromolecular 3D DNA lattice with precise spatial control using sticky ends. However, the authors did not recognize the fundamental features that control DNA self-assembly in the lateral direction. By analysing available crystallographic data and simulating a DNA triangle, we show that the double helix geometry, sequence-specific cytosine–phosphate interactions and divalent cations are in fact responsible for the precise spatial assembly of DNA.
authors.affiliation: Information Génomique et Structurale, CNRS-UPR2589, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, 13288, France. Youri.Timsit@igs.cnrs-mrs.fr
authors.forename: Youri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Timsit
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Varnai
mesh_terms: D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D003596:Cytosine / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
chemical_list: D003596:Cytosine; D004247:DNA