Sequence-dependent structural properties of B-DNA: what have we learned in 40 years?

TitleSequence-dependent structural properties of B-DNA: what have we learned in 40 years?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
Authorsda Rosa, Gabriela, Grille Leandro, Calzada Victoria, Ahmad Katya, Arcon Juan Pablo, Battistini Federica, Bayarri Genis, Bishop Thomas, Carloni Paolo, III Thomas Cheatham, Collepardo-Guevara Rosana, Czub Jacek, Espinosa Jorge R., Galindo-Murillo Rodrigo, Harris Sarah A., Hospital Adam, Laughton Charles, Maddocks John H., Noy Agnes, Orozco Modesto, Pasi Marco, Pérez Alberto, Petkevičiūtė-Gerlach Daiva, Sharma Rahul, Sun Ran, and Dans Pablo D.
JournalBiophysical Reviews
Date Published11/2021
ISBN Number1867-2469
Abstract

The structure of B-DNA, the physiological form of the DNA molecule, has been a central topic in biology, chemistry and physics. Far from uniform and rigid, the double helix was revealed as a flexible and structurally polymorphic molecule. Conformational changes that lead to local and global changes in the helix geometry are mediated by a complex choreography of base and backbone rearrangements affecting the ability of the B-DNA to recognize ligands and consequently on its functionality. In this sense, the knowledge obtained from the sequence-dependent structural properties of B-DNA has always been thought crucial to rationalize how ligands and, most notably, proteins recognize B-DNA and modulate its activity, i.e. the structural basis of gene regulation. Honouring the anniversary of the first high-resolution X-ray structure of a B-DNA molecule, in this contribution, we present the most important discoveries of the last 40 years on the sequence-dependent structural and dynamical properties of B-DNA, from the early beginnings to the current frontiers in the field.

URLhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-021-00893-8
Short TitleBiophysical Reviews
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