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Single-molecule polarization microscopy of DNA intercalators sheds light on the structure of S-DNA

Journal Article · · Science Advances

DNA structural transitions facilitate genomic processes, mediate drug-DNA interactions, and inform the development of emerging DNA-based biotechnology such as programmable materials and DNA origami. While some features of DNA conformational changes are well characterized, fundamental information such as the orientations of the DNA base pairs is unknown. Here, we use concurrent fluorescence polarization imaging and DNA manipulation experiments to probe the structure of S-DNA, an elusive, elongated conformation that can be accessed by mechanical overstretching. To this end, we directly quantify the orientations and rotational dynamics of fluorescent DNA-intercalated dyes. At extensions beyond the DNA overstretching transition, intercalators adopt a tilted (θ ~ 54°) orientation relative to the DNA axis, distinct from the nearly perpendicular orientation (θ ~ 90°) normally assumed at lower extensions. These results provide the first experimental evidence that S-DNA has substantially inclined base pairs relative to those of the standard (Watson-Crick) B-DNA conformation.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); Harry S. Truman Fellowship; Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO); Human Frontier Science Program; LASERLAB-EUROPE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1644083
Report Number(s):
SAND--2020-7446J; 687512
Journal Information:
Science Advances, Journal Name: Science Advances Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 5; ISSN 2375-2548
Publisher:
AAASCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (5)

Stretching DNA to twice the normal length with single-molecule hydrodynamic trapping journal January 2020
Understanding enhanced mechanical stability of DNA in the presence of intercalated anticancer drug: Implications for DNA associated processes journal October 2019
Supercoiling DNA optically journal December 2019
Single-molecule orientation localization microscopy for resolving structural heterogeneities between amyloid fibrils journal January 2020
Understanding Enhanced Mechanical Stability of DNA in the Presence of Intercalated Anticancer Drug: Implications for DNA Associated Processes text January 2019

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