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DNA, RNA and hybrid RNA-DNA oligomers of identical sequence: structural and dynamic differences

Overview of Barone F et al.

AuthorsBarone F  Cellai L  Matzeu M  Mazzei F  Pedone F  
AffiliationLaboratorio di Fisica   Istituto Superiore di Sanità   Rome   Italy.  
JournalBiophys Chem
Year 2000

Abstract


A 27-mer sequence was synthesised as DNA duplex (DD), RNA duplex (RR), and RNA-DNA (RD) hybrid in order to characterise their structural and dynamic features. The hydrodynamic radius (Rh) and the rise (b) values of the three samples were consistent with the conformations predicted by CD analysis. The value of the torsional constant (alpha) of the samples containing RNA was approximately twice that of the DD sample and followed the order: DD < RD < RR. The same order was observed in the thermodynamic stability and in the reduction of the electrophoretic mobility. gamma-Ray footprinting analysis was carried out to resolve the individual strand conformation in the hybrid. The RNA strand preserved its conformation, while the DNA strand showed local deformations mainly at TA and TG steps.