DNA structure and environment: Crystallographic studies of monovalent cation-Z-DNA interactions and of an AHMA-DNA complex.

摘要

DNA, the molecule of heredity, is the basic element in the replication process. Environment (for instance: counterions, water, drug molecules) can affect the structure and the function of DNA. The relations between the structural changes of the DNA molecules under different conditions and the function of the DNA are important research subjects in life science.;Interactions between rubidium, a monovalent cation, and Z-DNA have been studied using X-ray crystallography. Crystals of an oligonucleotide with the sequence of CGCGCG were crystallized with Rb;K-Z-DNA crystals were also obtained from crystallization of an oligonucleotide with the sequence of CGCGCG and with K;Crystals of an AHMA (3-(9-acridinylamino)-5-(hydroxymethyl) aniline)--d(CGTACG) complex have been obtained after an intensive crystallization condition search. Data with resolution of 2.9 A has been collected using an area detector. The unit cell was found to be a = b = 57.52 A and c = 122.17 A with space group class p321. Attempts have been made to make a heavy metal derivative of the AHMA-DNA complex. Crystals obtained by soaking the AHMA-DNA complex crystal with Sm