Issue June 2007

category image Volume 24
No. 6 (p 515-784)
June 2007
ISSN 0739-110

Packing Features of the all-AT Oligonucleotide d(AAATTT) (p. 547-552)

We describe the packing features of the oligonucleotide duplex d(AAATTT)2, as determined by X-ray diffraction. There is little information on sequences that only contain A and T bases. The present structure confirms that these sequences tend to pack as a helical arrangement of stacked oligonucleotides in a B conformation with Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding. Our results demonstrate that the virtual TA base step between stacked duplexes has a negative twist that improves base stacking. This observation is consistent with the low stability of TA base steps in B-form DNA.

N. Vallsa
A. Santaolalla
J. L. Campos
J. A. Subirana*

Departament d?Enginyeria Química
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Av. Diagonal 647
E-08028 Barcelona, Spain

aPresent address:
Departament de Biologia Estructural
Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC)
Jordi Girona 18-26
E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
*juan.a.subirana@upc.edu

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