Structural variation in d(CTCTAGAG). Implications for protein-DNA interactions

Dimerization and DNA recognition rules of mithramycin and its analogues

The antineoplastic and antibiotic natural product mithramycin (MTM) is used against cancer-related hypercalcemia and, experimentally, against Ewing sarcoma and lung cancers. MTM exerts its cytotoxic effect by binding DNA as a divalent metal ion (Me(2+))-coordinated dimer and disrupting the function of transcription factors. A precise molecular mechanism of action of MTM, needed to develop MTM analogues selective against desired transcription factors, is lacking. Although it is known that MTM binds G/C-rich DNA, the exact DNA recognition rules that would allow one to map MTM binding sites remain incompletely understood. Towards this goal, we quantitatively investigated dimerization of MTM and several of its analogues, MTM SDK (for Short side chain, DiKeto), MTM SA-Trp (for Short side chain and Acid), MTM SA-Ala, and a biosynthetic precursor premithramycin B (PreMTM B), and measured the binding affinities of these molecules to DNA oligomers of different sequences and structural forms at physiological salt concentrations. We show that MTM and its analogues form stable dimers even in the absence of DNA. All molecules, except for PreMTM B, can bind DNA with the following rank order of affinities (strong to weak): MTM=MTM SDK>MTM SA-Trp>MTM SA-Ala. An X(G/C)(G/C)X motif, where X is any base, is necessary and sufficient for MTM binding to DNA, without a strong dependence on DNA conformation. These recognition rules will aid in mapping MTM sites across different promoters towards development of MTM analogues as useful anticancer agents.

Conformations of the sugar-phosphate backbone in helical DNA crystal structures

The DNA backbone geometry was analyzed for 96 crystal structures of oligodeoxynucleotides. The ranges and mean values of the torsion angles for the observed subclasses of the A-, B-, and Z-DNA conformational types were determined by analyzing distributions of the torsion angles and scattergrams relating pairs of angles.

Nucleosome Positioning Determinants

A previous report demonstrated that one site in a nucleosome assembled onto a synthetic positioning sequence known as Fragment 67 is hypersensitive to permanganate. The site is required for positioning activity and is located 1.5 turns from the dyad, which is a region of high DNA curvature in the nucleosome. Here, the permanganate sensitivity of the nucleosome positioning Fragment 601 was examined in order to expand the dataset of nucleosome sequences containing KMnO(4) hypersensitive sites. The hyperreactive T residue in the six sites detected as well as the one in Fragment 67 and three in the 5 S rDNA positioning sequence were contained within a TA step. Seven of the ten sequences were of the form CTAGPuG or the related sequence TTAAPu. These motifs were also found in the binding sites of several transcriptional regulatory proteins that kink DNA. In order to assess the significance of these sites, the 10 bp positioning determinant in Fragment 67 was removed and replaced by the nine sequences from the 5 S rDNA and Fragment 601. The results demonstrated that these derivative fragments promoted high nucleosome stability and positioning as compared to a control sequence that contained an AT step in place of the TA step. The importance of the TA step was further tested by making single base-pair substitutions in Fragment 67 and the results revealed that stability and positioning activity followed the order: TA>TG>TT>/=TC approximately GG approximately GA approximately AT. Sequences flanking the TA step were also shown to be critical for nucleosome stability and positioning. Nucleosome positioning was restored to near wild-type levels with (CTG)(3), which can form slipped stranded structures and with one base bulges that kink DNA. The results of this study suggest that local DNA structures are important for positioning and that single base-pair changes at these sites could have profound effects on those genomic functions that depend on ordered nucleosomes.

Staying straight with A-tracts: a DNA analog of the HIV-1 polypurine tract

The polypurine tract (PPT) from the HIV-1 genome is resistant to digestion by reverse transcriptase following (-)-strand synthesis and is used to prime (+)-strand synthesis during retroviral replication. We have determined the crystal structure of the asymmetric DNA/DNA analog16-mer duplex (CTTTTTAAAAGAAAAG/CTTTTCTTTTAAAAAG) comprising most of the "visible" portion of the RNA:DNA hybrid from the polypurine tract of HIV-1, which was previously reported in a complex with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Our 16-mer completely encompasses a 10-mer DNA duplex analog of the HIV-1 PPT. We report here a detailed analysis of our B' form 16-mer DNA structure, including three full pure A-tracts, as well as a comparative structural analysis with polypurine tract and other A-tract-containing nucleic acid structures. Our analysis reveals that the polypurine tract structures share structural features despite being different nucleic acid forms (i.e. DNA:DNA versus RNA:DNA). In addition, the previously reported A-tract-containing DNA molecules bound to topoisomerase I are remarkably similar to our polypurine tract 16-mer structure. On the basis of our analysis, we suggest that the specific topology of long pure A-tracts is remarkably comparable across a wide array of biological environments.

DNA recognition and nucleosome organization

The affinity of a DNA sequence for the histone octamer in a core nucleosome depends on the intrinsic flexibility of the DNA. This parameter can be affected both by the sequence-dependent conformational preferences of individual base steps and by the nature and location of the exocyclic groups of the DNA bases. By adopting highly preferred conformations particular types of base step can influence the rotational positioning of the DNA on the surface of the histone octamer. The asymmetry of the next higher order of chromatin structure is determined in part by the asymmetric binding of the globular domain of histone H5 to the core nucleosome.

Effect of base composition on DNA bending by phosphate neutralization

Of the many forces involved in DNA bending by proteins, we have focused on the possible role of asymmetric phosphate neutralization due to interactions between the negatively charged phosphate backbone of duplex DNA and cationic amino acids of an approaching protein. The resulting unbalanced charge distribution along the duplex DNA is thought to induce the double helix to collapse toward the neutralized surface. Previous work has confirmed that DNA bending (approximately 20.7 +/- 4 degrees) is induced by asymmetric incorporation of six uncharged racemic methylphosphonate analogs partially neutralizing one face of GC-rich duplex DNA. We have now analyzed DNA duplexes with similar patches of methylphosphonate linkages in an AT-rich sequence context and again observe bending toward the neutralized face, to an extent (20 +/- 0.6 degrees) comparable to that observed for neutral patches in GC-rich DNA. The similar induced bend angles in AT-rich and GC-rich contexts does not reveal increased flexibility in AT-rich sequences, or a particular propensity of A-T base pairs to roll toward the minor groove in the tested sequences.

New DNA sequence rules for high affinity binding to histone octamer and sequence-directed nucleosome positioning

DNA sequences that position nucleosomes are of increasing interest because of their relationship to gene regulation in vivo and because of their utility in studies of nucleosome structure and function in vitro. However, at present our understanding of the rules for DNA sequence-directed nucleosome positioning is fragmentary, and existing positioning sequences have many limitations. We carried out a SELEX experiment starting with a large pool of chemically synthetic random. DNA molecules to identify those individuals having the highest affinity for histone octamer. A set of highest-affinity molecules were selected, cloned, and sequenced, their affinities (free energies) for histone octamer in nucleosome reconstitution measured, and their ability to position nucleosomes in vitro assessed by native gel electrophoresis. The selected sequences have higher affinity than previously known natural or non-natural sequences, and have a correspondingly strong nucleosome positioning ability. A variety of analyses including Fourier transform, real-space correlation, and direct counting computations were carried out to assess non-random features in the selected sequences. The results reveal sequence rules that were already identified in earlier studies of natural nucleosomal DNA, together with a large set of new rules having even stronger statistical significance. Possible physical origins of the selected molecules' high affinities are discussed. The sequences isolated in this study should prove valuable for studies of chromatin structure and function in vitro and, potentially, for studies in vivo.

A high-angle neutron fibre diffraction study of the hydration of deuterated A-DNA

A high-angle neutron fibre diffraction study of the hydration of A-DNA has been performed using the single-crystal diffractometer D19 at the Institut Laue-Langevin (Grenoble, France). The sample was prepared using deuterated DNA extracted from E. Coli cells cultured on deuterated nutrients. In common with our previous neutron fibre diffraction studies of DNA, this work exploits the ability to isotopically replace H2O around the DNA by D2O. However this study benefitted additionally from the fact that the hydrogen atoms which are covalently bonded to carbon atoms in the DNA sugars and bases were replaced by deuterium so that incoherent scattering and absorption effects were minimised. Successive cycles of Fourier synthesis and Fourier difference synthesis allowed water peaks to be identified and their positional and occupancy parameters to be refined against the observed diffraction data. The results confirm the main hydration features noted in our earlier studies with a clear network of water running along the inside edge of the major groove linking successive OI phosphate oxygen atoms. The central core of water running along the axis of the double helix is very much clearer in this work. Additionally this study shows chains of ordered water lying in the centre of the major groove.

Structure and conformation of helical nucleic acids: analysis program (SCHNAaP)

We present a new versatile program, SCHNAaP, for the analysis of double-helical nucleic acid structures. The program uses mathematically rigorous and fully reversible procedures for calculating the structural parameters: the Cambridge University Engineering Department Helix computation Scheme (CEHS) is used to determine the local helical parameters and an analogous procedure is used to determine the global helical parameters. These parameters form a complete set that conforms to the "Cambridge Accord" on definitions and nomenclature of nucleic acid structure parameters. In addition to the two standard Watson-Crick base-pairs, the program handles mismatched base-pairs and chemically modified bases. An analysis of the sugar-phosphate backbone conformation is included. Standardized base-stacking diagrams of each dinucleotide step with reference to the mid-step triad are generated. Structures are classified as one of the four polymorphic families, A/B, Z, W or R, although W- and R-DNA (two types of hypothetical structure) have yet to be observed experimentally.

DNA structural forms

In the years that have passed since the publication of Wolfram Saenger's classic book on nucleic acid structure (Saenger, 1984), a considerable amount of new data has been accumulated on the range of conformations which can be adopted by DNA. Many unusual species have joined the DNA zoo, including new varieties of two, three and four stranded helices. Much has been learnt about intrinsic DNA curvature, dynamics and conformational transitions and many types of damaged or deformed DNA have been investigated. In this article, we will try to summarise this progress, pointing out the scope of the various experimental techniques used to study DNA structure, and, where possible, trying to discern the rules which govern the behaviour of this subtle macromolecule. The article is divided into six major sections which begin with a general discussion of DNA structure and then present successively, B-DNA, DNA deformations, A-DNA, Z-DNA and DNARNA hybrids. An extensive set of references is included and should serve the reader who wishes to delve into greater detai.

Ab initio investigation of the molecular structure of methyl methoxymethyl phosphonate, a promising nuclease-resistant alternative of the phosphodiester linkage

Conformational flexibility of the methyl methoxymethyl phosphonate anion (CH3-O-PO2-CH2-O-CH3)-, a nuclease resistant alternative to the phosphodiester linkage in DNA, have been investigated by ab initio quantum mechanical calculations. The potential of backbone torsional degrees of freedom of methyl methoxymethyl phosphonate anion (MMP) was determined at the Hartree-Fock (HF) 3-21G* level using the adiabatic mapping technique. Energies, geometries, and effective atomic charges of different conformers were calculated at HF/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* levels of theory. These were compared to the results obtained for dimethyl phosphate calculated at the same level. The impact on DNA structure from inserting a methylene group between phosphorus and oxygen of the nucleoside sugar moiety was examined via distance and angle-constrained geometry optimizations. Due to its high flexibility, MMP has been shown to be compatible with both A and B forms of DNA.

A nucleic acid triple helix formed by a peptide nucleic acid-DNA complex

The crystal structure of a nucleic acid triplex reveals a helix, designated P-form, that differs from previously reported nucleic acid structures. The triplex consists of one polypurine DNA strand complexed to a polypyrimidine hairpin peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and was successfully designed to promote Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen base pairing. The P-form helix is underwound, with a base tilt similar to B-form DNA. The bases are displaced from the helix axis even more than in A-form DNA. Hydrogen bonds between the DNA backbone and the Hoogsteen PNA backbone explain the observation that polypyrimidine PNA sequences form highly stable 2:1 PNA-DNA complexes. This structure expands the number of known stable helical forms that nucleic acids can adopt.

Bending and torsional flexibility of G/C-rich sequences as determined by cyclization assays

The structural polymorphism of DNA is a vital aspect of its biological function. However, it has become increasingly apparent in recent years that DNA polymorphism is a complicated, multidimensional phenomenon that includes not only static sequence-directed structures but dynamic effects as well, including influences of counterions and sequence context. In order to address some of these additional factors that govern DNA conformation, we have used T4 ligase-mediated cyclization to investigate bending in a series of DNA sequences containing the GGGCCC.GGGCCC motif in different sequence contexts including various helical phasings with (A)5-tracts. We present evidence for curvature in GGGCCC.GGGCCC and (A)5-tract motifs in the presence of physiological levels of Mg2+ and show that these motifs curve through similar but oppositely directed bending angles under these ionic strength conditions. Although these two sequence motifs appear to bend similarly, our results suggest significant differences in stiffness and stability of curvature between them. We also show that under the same experimental conditions, the CTAG-CTAG sequence element possesses unusual torsional flexibility and that this appears to be associated with the central TA.TA dinucleotide. The results underscore the need to include sequence context and specific ion effects as well as a dynamic basis in more complete predictive models for functionally related DNA polymorphism.

Stereochemical basis of DNA bending by transcription factors

Superstructure-formation of DNA plays an important role in transcription regulation as well as in chromatin formation. To understand the stereochemical basis of DNA bending by proteins we analysed the structural characteristics of dinucleotide steps which occur at the site where DNA is bent upon binding a transcription factor. When DNA is considerably bent in a crystal structure the bending is not spread smoothly over a length, but the DNA is kinked at a pair of crucial steps which are highly rolled and untwisted. These rolled steps are spaced 6-10 bp apart and are predominantly occupied by pyrimidine-purine sequences. In association with another dinucleotide step at the centre, which combines 6 bp-spaced rolled steps towards the same side of the DNA, these produce two essentially different types of DNA bending.

Analysis of local helix bending in crystal structures of DNA oligonucleotides and DNA-protein complexes

Sequence-dependent bending of the helical axes in 112 oligonucleotide duplex crystal structures resident in the Nucleic Acid Database have been analyzed and compared with the use of bending dials, a computer graphics tool. Our analysis includes structures of both A and B forms of DNA and considers both uncomplexed forms of the double helix as well as those bound to drugs and proteins. The patterns in bending preferences in the crystal structures are analyzed by base pair steps, and emerging trends are noted. Analysis of the 66 B-form structures in the Nucleic Acid Database indicates that uniform trends within all pyrimidine-purine and purine-pyrimidine steps are not necessarily observed but are found particularly at CG and GC steps of dodecamers. The results support the idea that AA steps are relatively straight and that larger roll bends occur at or near the junctions of these A-tracts with their flanking sequences. The data on 16 available crystal structures of protein-DNA complexes indicate that the majority of the DNA bends induced via protein binding are sharp localized kinks. The analysis of the 30 available A-form DNA structures indicates that these structures are also bent and show a definitive preference for bending into the deep major groove over the shallow minor groove.

Crystal packing effects on A-DNA helix parameters: a comparative study of the isoforms of the tetragonal & hexagonal family of octamers with differing base sequences

The helix and base pair parameters of A-DNA octamers have been compared having different base sequences both in the tetragonal and hexagonal crystal systems. For the eight structures in the tetragonal family, the twist, rise, slide, inclination and tilt are essentially the same, influenced by the similarity in crystal packing. The propeller twist and the base pair buckle display small sequence dependent variations. But the base pair roll appears to be changed by the specific intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. For four of the five octamer structures in the hexagonal family, the base pair rise, slide, inclination, tilt, as well as the propeller twist and buckle are all very similar, while the twist angle and the base pair roll are not. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions seem to be primarily responsible for the differences in the roll angle in the tetragonal structures but for both the roll and twist angles in the hexagonal structures. These results demonstrate that the majority of the observed helix base pair parameters for A-DNA octamers in crystals are affected by the crystal packing environment, while a few parameters, like propeller twist and base pair buckle display some base sequence dependence.

Orthorhombic crystal structure of the A-DNA octamer d(GTACGTAC). Comparison with the tetragonal structure

The X-ray crystal structure of the double-helical A-DNA octanucleotide d(GTACGTAC) has been solved by molecular replacement and refined to a resolution of 0.219 nm. The final R-factor is equal to 16.1% for 1516 observed reflections with F > 4 sigma(F). The sequence crystallizes as an A-DNA-type double helix in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2, with one duplex molecule solvated by 66 water molecules in the asymmetric unit. Cell parameters are a = 3.860 nm, b = 5.082 nm, c = 2.174 nm. It is the first time that such a crystal form has been observed. This orthorhombic structure has been compared with the tetragonal structure of the same oligonucleotide. It adopts a bent structure with an unusual packing between symmetry-related molecules.

A Monte Carlo method for generating structures of short single-stranded DNA sequences

A Monte Carlo method has been developed for generating the conformations of short single-stranded DNAs from arbitrary starting states. The chain conformers are constructed from energetically favorable arrangements of the constituent mononucleotides. Minimum energy states of individual dinucleotide monophosphate molecules are identified using a torsion angle minimizer. The glycosyl and acyclic backbone torsions of the dimers are allowed to vary, while the sugar rings are held fixed in one of the two preferred puckered forms. A total of 108 conformationally distinct states per dimer are considered in this first stage of minimization. The torsion angles within 5 kcal/mole of the global minimum in the resulting optimized states are then allowed to vary by +/- 10 degrees in an effort to estimate the breadth of the different local minima. The energies of a total of 2187 (3(7)) angle combinations are examined per local conformational minimum. Finally, the energies of all dinucleotide conformers are scaled so that the populations of differently puckered sugar rings in the theoretical sample match those found in nmr solution studies. This last step is necessitated by limitations in the theoretical methods to predict DNA sugar puckering accurately. The conformer populations of the individual acyclic torsion angles in the composite dimer ensembles are found to be in good agreement with the distributions of backbone conformations deduced from nmr coupling constants and the frequencies of glycosyl conformations in x-ray crystal structures, suggesting that the low energy states are reasonable. The low energy dimer forms (consisting of 150-325 conformational states per dimer step) are next used as variables in a Monte Carlo algorithm, which generates the conformations of single-stranded d(CXnG) chains, where X = A, T and n = 3, 4, 5. The oligonucleotides are built sequentially from the 5' end of the chain using random numbers to select the conformations of overlapping dimer units. The simulations are very fast, involving a total of 10(6) conformations per chain sequence. The potential errors in the buildup procedure are minimized by taking advantage of known rotational interdependences in the sugar-phosphate backbone. The distributions of oligonucleotide conformations are examined in terms of the magnitudes, positions, and orientations of the end-to-end vectors of the chains. The differences in overall flexibility and extension of the oligomers are discussed in terms of the conformations of the constituent dinucleotide steps, while the general methodology is discussed and compared with other nucleic acid model building techniques.

Solution conformation and dynamics of the octadeoxy-nucleotide d(CACTAGTG)2: a multinuclear n.m.r. relaxation study

The conformation and internal dynamics of the octadeoxynucleotide d(CACTAGTG)2 have been examined by 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. relaxation. All the non-exchangeable protons, the seven phosphate resonances, and most of the 13C resonances of the proton-bearing carbons have been assigned by conventional two-dimensional n.m.r. methods. The average conformations of each nucleotide have been determined using time-dependent one-dimensional n.O.e.'s and 3JHH values derived from both NOESY and 2-quantum-filtered COSY experiments. All glycosidic torsion angles are anti, and in the range -95 to 125 degrees, in which the pyrimidines have a significantly larger angle than the purines. All sugars were found mainly (greater than 80%) in the conformation range C-2'endo to C-3'exo. The DNA fragment is within the B-family of conformations. The cytosine H-6-H-5 vectors move with an apparent correlation time of 3 ns at 25 degrees. Cross-relaxation rate constants for the H-1'-H-2b vectors and some H-2a-H-2b and H-2a-H-3' vectors were measured, from which order parameters were determined. The order parameters are all in the range 0.7-0.9, which is consistent with only moderate internal mobility on the sub-ns time scale. The (1H)-13C n.O.e. and the spin-lattice relaxation rate constant show that the terminal residues are relatively more mobile than the internal residues, and that the C-2'-H and C-3'-H vectors move with order parameters of 0.6-0.75.

Escherichia coli molecular genetic map (1500 kbp): update II

The DNA sequence data for Escherichia coli deposited in the EMBL library (release 27), together with miscellaneous data obtained from several laboratories, have been localized on an updated and corrected version of the restriction map of the chromosome generated by Kohara et al. (1987) and modified by others. This second update adds a further 500 kbp, increasing the amount of the E. coli chromosome sequenced to about one third of the total: 1510 kbp of sequenced DNA is included in the present data base. The accuracy of the map is assessed, and allows us to propose a precise genetic map position for every sequenced gene. The location of rare-cutting sites such as AvrII, NotI and SfiI have also been included in the update in order to combine the data obtained from different sources into one single file. The distribution of palindromic sequences (to which most restriction sites belong) has been studied in coding sequences. There appears to be a significant counter-selection against several such sequences in E. coli coding sequences (but not in other organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae), suggesting the existence of constraints on DNA structure in E. coli, perhaps indicative of a functional role for horizontal gene transfer, preserving coding sequences, in this type of bacteria.

Molecular structure of a complete turn of A-DNA

We have determined the crystal structure of the dodecamer d(CCCCCGCGGGGG), showing for the first time a complete turn of A-DNA. It has average structural parameters similar to those determined in fibres. Nevertheless it shows a considerable local variation in structure which is in part associated with the presence of a bound spermine molecule. We conclude that the local DNA conformation does not only depend on the base sequence, but may be strongly modified upon interaction with other molecules. In particular, the CpG sequence, which is found in hypersensitive regions of the genome, appears to be able to easily change its conformation under external influences.

A note on crystal packing and global helix structure in short A-DNA duplexes

A simple relation exists between the packing density in crystals of short A-DNA duplexes and their global double-helical structure. The volume per nucleotide pair shows a linear inverse correlation with the mean displacement of base pairs from the best straight helix axis. The mean displacement is a measure of major groove depth and varies between -3.3 A and -4.9 A in A-form oligonucleotides analysed in the crystalline state. Since the mean displacement of base pairs from the helix axis determines other helical parameters such as base-pair longitudinal slide, its correlation with crystal packing is of considerable interest. The displacement-packing correlation is very clear for octamer duplexes which crystallize in three different lattices. Longer A-helical fragments sometimes deviate from the rule. It may be speculated whether A-form duplexes not completing a full helical turn are especially prone to distortions due to packing in crystals or arising from intermolecular contacts in solution.

Local supercoil-stabilized DNA structures

The DNA double helix exhibits local sequence-dependent polymorphism at the level of the single base pair and dinucleotide step. Curvature of the DNA molecule occurs in DNA regions with a specific type of nucleotide sequence periodicities. Negative supercoiling induces in vitro local nucleotide sequence-dependent DNA structures such as cruciforms, left-handed DNA, multistranded structures, etc. Techniques based on chemical probes have been proposed that make it possible to study DNA local structures in cells. Recent results suggest that the local DNA structures observed in vitro exist in the cell, but their occurrence and structural details are dependent on the DNA superhelical density in the cell and can be related to some cellular processes.

Local variability and base sequence effects in DNA crystal structures

The importance and usefulness of local doublet parameters in understanding sequence dependent effects has been described for A- and B-DNA oligonucleotide crystal structures. Each of the two sets of local parameters described by us in the NUPARM algorithm, namely the local doublet parameters, calculated with reference to the mean z-axis, and the local helical parameters, calculated with reference to the local helix axis, is sufficient to describe the oligonucleotide structures, with the local helical parameters giving a slightly magnified picture of the variations in the structures. The values of local doublet parameters calculated by NUPARM algorithm are similar to those calculated by NEWHELIX90 program, only if the oligonucleotide fragment is not too distorted. The mean values obtained using all the available data for B-DNA crystals are not significantly different from those obtained when a limited data set is used, consisting only of structures with a data resolution of better than 2.4 A and without any bound drug molecule. Thus the variation observed in the oligonucleotide crystals appears to be independent of the quality of their crystallinity. No strong correlation is seen between any pair of local doublet parameters but the local helical parameters are interrelated by geometric relationships. An interesting feature that emerges from this analysis is that the local rise along the z-axis is highly correlated with the difference in the buckle values of the two basepairs in the doublet, as suggested earlier for the dodecamer structures (Bansal and Bhattacharyya, in Structure & Methods: DNA & RNA, Vol. 3 (Eds., R.H. Sarma and M.H. Sarma), pp. 139-153 (1990)). In fact the local rise values become almost constant for both A- and B-forms, if a correction is applied for the buckling of the basepairs. In B-DNA the AA, AT, TA and GA basepair sequences generally have a smaller local rise (3.25 A) compared to the other sequences (3.4 A) and this seems to be an intrinsic feature of basepair stacking interaction and not related to any other local doublet parameter. The roll angles in B-DNA oligonucleotides have small values (less than +/- 8 degrees), while mean local twist varies from 24 degrees to 45 degrees. The CA/TG doublet sequences show two types of preferred geometries, one with positive roll, small positive slide and reduced twist and another with negative roll, large positive slide and increased twist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Crystal and solution structures of the oligonucleotide d(ATGCGCAT)2: a combined X-ray and NMR study

A combined crystal-structure determination and NMR analysis of the octanucleotide d(ATGCGCAT)2 is reported. The X-ray analysis shows that the structure is A-form duplex in crystal state. The NMR study shows that in solution this sequence is B-type. The conformational results from each technique are presented in detail. The implications of these findings in terms of conformational flexibility and ligand binding are discussed.

Determining local conformational variations in DNA. Nuclear magnetic resonance structures of the DNA duplexes d(CGCCTAATCG) and d(CGTCACGCGC) generated using back-calculation of the nuclear Overhauser effect spectra, a distance geometry algorithm and constrained molecular dynamics

Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectroscopy and a variety of computational techniques have been used to generate three-dimensional structures of the two DNA duplexes d(CGCCTAATCG) and d(CGTCACGCGC). The central six base-pairs in these two decamers contain all ten dinucleotide pairs in DNA and thus, represent a model system for investigating how the local structure of DNA varies with base sequence. Resonance assignments were made for the non-exchangeable base protons and most of the C-1'-C-4' sugar protons in both decamers. Three-dimensional structures were generated using a distance geometry algorithm and these initial structures were refined by optimizing the fit of back-calculated spectra against the experimental two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) spectra. This back-calculation procedure consists of calculating NOE cross relaxation rates for a given structure by solution of the Bloch equations, and directly accounts for spin diffusion effects. Use of this refinement procedure eliminates some assumptions that have been invoked when generating structures of DNA oligomers from n.m.r. data. Constrained energy minimization and constrained quenched molecular dynamics calculation were also performed on both decamers to help generate energetically favorable structures consistent with the experimental data. Analysis of the local conformational parameters of helical twist, helical rise, propeller twist, displacement and the alpha, beta, gamma, epison and zeta backbone torsion angles in these structures shows that these parameters span a large range of values relative to the X-ray data of nucleic acids. However, the glycosidic and pseudorotation angles are quite well defined in these structures. The implications that these results have for determination of local structural variations of DNA in solution, such as those predicted by Callidine's rules, are discussed. Our results differ significantly from some previous studies on determining local conformations of nucleic acids and comparisons with these studies are made.

The structure and hydration of the A-DNA fragment d(GGGTACCC) at room temperature and low temperature

The DNA fragment d(GGGTACCC) was crystallized as an A-DNA duplex in the hexagonal space group P6(1). The structure was analyzed at room temperature and low temperature (100K) at a resolution of 2.5 A. The helical conformations at the two temperatures are similar but the low-temperature structure is more economically hydrated than the room-temperature one. The structure of d(GGGTACCC) is compared to those of d(GGGTGCCC) and d(GGGCGCCC). This series of molecules, which consists of a mismatched duplex and its two Watson-Crick analogues, exhibits three conformational variants of the A-form of DNA, which are correlated with the specific intermolecular interactions observed in the various crystals. The largest differences in local conformation are displayed by the stacking geometries of the central pyrimidine-purine and the flanking purine-pyrimidine sites in each of the three duplexes. Stacking energy calculations performed on the crystal structures show that the mismatched duplex is destabilized with respect to each of the error-free duplexes, in accordance with helix-coil transition measurements.

Conformational variations in d(TGACGTCA) and its reverse sequence d(ACTGCAGT): a joint circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance study

Circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques have been used to characterize the structural properties of the two self-complementary DNA octamers d(TGACGTCA) (I) and d(ACTGCAGT) (II). These display as distinctive features reverse sequences and central steps CpG and GpC, respectively. CD experiments lead to B-form DNA spectra characterized by larger magnitude signals in the case of octamer (I). NMR COSY spectra indicate that in the two octamers all the residues are predominantly south, S, (2'-endo) sugar conformation. NMR NOESY spectra show most of the glycosidic angles confined in the range predicted for B-form DNA although important heterogeneity is noticed along the chains, more pronounced in the case of octamer (I). Both the increase of north, N, (3'-endo) sugar conformation and P (pseudorotation phase angle) deviation from its standard B-form DNA value (162 degrees) express local sequence dependent structure distortions, remarkably visible in CpG step of octamer (I) and agreeing with NOESY cross-peaks intensities. Results interpreted according to Calladine's rules indicate higher cross-chain strains in octamer (I) than in octamer (II). All together, we find evidence to support for octamer (I) in solution local structures with A-DNA properties likely dictated by the central CpG step. Such structures could be involved in the DNA recognition by proteins and anticancerous drugs.

Raison d'être and structural model for the B-Z transition of poly d(G-C).poly d(G-C)

In DNA oligonucleotides crystallized in the A form, the nucleotides adopt standard conformation except for steps 5'-CpG-3' where reduced base-pair twist and a sliding motion of the base pairs along their long axes causes pronounced interstrand guanine-guanine overlap. As a consequence, torsion angles alpha, beta and gamma are consistently trans, trans, trans instead of the common-gauche, trans, +gauche. This conformation significantly increases the intraresidue distance between the guanine base and the 5'-phosphate group. A molecular model of poly d(G-C).poly d(G-C) built with these structural characteristics in the A form, which we call A2-DNA, shows that rotation of the guanosine sugar into the syn orientation is easily achieved and pushes the base pair across the helix axis. If successive guanosines are changed this way, a smooth transformation occurs to the left-handed Z-DNA. We suggest that A- and A2-DNA forms of poly d(G-C).poly d(G-C) are metastable and that the actual transition is B in equilibrium (A in equilibrium A2) in equilibrium Z-DNA.

Oligonucleotide structure: a decade of results from single crystal X-ray diffraction studies

Writing a review gives authors a splendid opportunity to view developments in a particular area of science from a very personal angle. They are at liberty to select material, emphasize aspects of direct interest to their own work and air speculations which, wisely or not, referees have caused to have removed from their publications. Such personal accounts often make good reading, but may be somewhat misleading especially for readers seeking an introduction to the field. One remedy is to aim at a comprehensive review with equal weight given to all publications but boredom, if not bias, is then likely to creep in.