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DNA exists in many possible conformations that include A-DNA, B-DNA, and Z-DNA forms, although only B-DNA and Z-DNA have been directly observed in functional organisms. [14] The conformation that DNA adopts depends on the hydration level, DNA sequence, the amount and direction of supercoiling, chemical modifications of the bases, the type and ...
At least three DNA conformations are believed to be found in nature, A-DNA, B-DNA, and Z-DNA. The B form described by James Watson and Francis Crick is believed to predominate in cells. [27] It is 23.7 Å wide and extends 34 Å per 10 bp of sequence. The double helix makes one complete turn about its axis every 10.4–10.5 base pairs in solution.
A-DNA is broader and more compressed along its axis than B-DNA. [2] [3] The identifiable characteristic of A-DNA X-ray crystallography is the hole in the center. [2] A-DNA has a C3'-endo pucker, which refers to the C3' carbon in the furanose ring being below the sugar plane.
B-DNA is the most common form of DNA in vivo and is a more narrow, elongated helix than A-DNA. Its wide major groove makes it more accessible to proteins. On the other hand, it has a narrow minor groove. B-DNA's favored conformations occur at high water concentrations; the hydration of the minor groove appears to favor B-DNA.
Three DNA conformations are believed to be found in nature, A-DNA, B-DNA, and Z-DNA. The "B" form described by James D. Watson and Francis Crick is believed to predominate in cells. [ 2 ] James D. Watson and Francis Crick described this structure as a double helix with a radius of 10 Å and pitch of 34 Å , making one complete turn about its ...
A-DNA is a form of DNA that occurs when the DNA is in a dehydrated state or is bound to certain proteins, and it has a shorter and wider helix than B-DNA. The helix of A-DNA is also tilted and compressed compared to B-DNA. A-DNA is believed to play a role in certain biological processes, such as DNA replication and gene expression.
The code is read by copying stretches of DNA into the related nucleic acid RNA in a process called transcription. Within cells, DNA is organized into long sequences called chromosomes. During cell division these chromosomes are duplicated in the process of DNA replication, providing each cell its own complete set of chromosomes.
Z-DNA is one of the many possible double helical structures of DNA. It is a left-handed double helical structure in which the helix winds to the left in a zigzag pattern, instead of to the right, like the more common B-DNA form. Z-DNA is thought to be one of three biologically active double-helical structures along with A-DNA and B-DNA.