Conformations and structural transitions in polydeoxynucleotides.

Polydeoxynucleotides of different base sequence, the alternating poly[d(A-T)]-poly[d(A-T)], crab satellite DNA, on the one hand, and double-stranded homopolymer complexes poly[d(A)]-poly[d(T)], poly[d(I)]-poly[d(C)], on the other, display significant differences in their conformation and conformational transitions. Infrared linear dichroism investigations indicate that the alternating poly[d(A-T)]-poly[d(A-T)], enzymatically synthesized, adopts a lower humidity a well-expressed A* form in which stability is relatively small,i.e., restricted to limited relative humidity. This A form is characterized by the orientation of the bisector of the phosphate OPO group at 34 degrees with respect to the helical axis, which is slightly lower than that of DNA. In contrast, for the homopolynucleotide double-stranded complex poly(dA)-poly(dT) and also for poly(dI)-poly(dC), the B yields A conformational change is not observed. Instead poly(dA)-poly(dT) exists at lower humidity in a stable modified B form. Thus the present results indicate that homo(dA)-homo(dT) double-stranded sequences prevent the B yields A structural transition. All AT-containing polydeoxynucleotides and crab satellite DNA adopt a high humidity a modified B form characterized by the orientation of the bisector of the phosphate group OPO at 64 degrees with respect to the helical axis which is significantly lower than 68-74 degrees observed in DNAs. The base pairing geometry in poly(dA)-poly(dT), poly[d(A-T)]-poly[d(A-T)], and also in poly(dI)-poly(dC) is apparently a Watson and Crick type. Thus the observed differences in conformation are not due to different base pairing scheme. It is suggested that in DNAs of high AT content the presence of homo(dT)-homo(dA) sequences and the relatively low stability of the A form of d(A-T) alternating sequences may inhibit the change to the A form. A possible role of these sequences in DNA recognition by protein is suggested.