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Title: Reduced 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen cross-linking of left-handed Z-DNA stabilized by DNA supercoiling

Journal Article · · Biochemistry; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/bi00379a021· OSTI ID:6351411

Z-DNA-forming sequences, (GT)/sub 21/, (GT)/sub 12/ATGT, and (CG)/sub 6/TA(CG)/sub 6/, were cloned into plasmids. These sequences formed left-handed Z-DNA conformations under torsional tension from negative supercoiling of DNA. (/sup 3/H)4,5',8-Trimethylpsoralen, on absorption of 360-nm light, forms monoadducts and interstrand cross-links in DNA that exists in the B-helical conformation. Trimethylpsoralen cross-links were introduced into the potential Z-DNA-forming sequences in relaxed DNA when these sequences existed as B-form DNA. In supercoiled DNA when these sequences existed in the Z conformation, the rate of cross-linking was greatly reduced, and trimethylpsoralen did not form monoadducts appreciably to Z-DNA. As an internal control in these experiments, the rates of cross-linking of the Z-DNA-forming sequences were measured relative to that of an adjacent, cloned sequence that could not adopt a Z conformation. The initial relative rates of cross-linking to Z-DNA-forming sequences were dependent on the superhelical density of the DNA, and the rates were ultimately reduced by factors of 10-15 for Z-DNA in highly supercoiled plasmids. This differential rate of cross-linking provides a novel assay for Z-DNA. Initial application of this assay in vivo suggests that a substantial fraction of (CG)/sub 6/TA(CG)/sub 6/, which existed as Z-DNA in plasmid molecules purified from cells, existed in the B conformation in vivo.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH
OSTI ID:
6351411
Journal Information:
Biochemistry; (United States), Vol. 26:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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