More complex DNA structures

Fibrous polynucleotide duplexes are very polymorphic. Detailed x-ray analysis of the D forms of poly d(AT) ·poly d(AT) and poly d(IC) ·poly d(IC) and of the B form of poly d(GC) ·poly d(GC) show that 5′RpY3′ dinucleoside monophosphates in these molecules have either t,t or t,g conformations at C3′–03′, 03′-P which lead to similar orientations of phosphate groups. On the other hand, 5′YpR3′ fragments commonly have g,t conformations and hence a markedly different orientation of the phosphate group. Studies of the more complex structures of the C form of poly d(ACC) ·poly d(GGT) and of a pleiomeric D form of poly d(AT) ·poly d(AT) where the repeated structural motifs are hexanucleotides reveal further details of the surface “wrinkles” on DNA. In the case of the H form of poly d(A) ·poly d(T), the sugar rings in each strand are puckered differently-C2′-endo in poly d(T) and C3′-endo in poly d(A). Such heteromerous duplexes have unusually pronounced directional properties. Similar structure ma be present in some DNA-RNA hybrids. These surface feature might enable regulatory proteins and enzymes to recognize their host DNA sequences more easily in the blinding process.