Biopolymers and cell. 1988. Volume 4. № 4. 182 - 187

A. G. Golovinskaya, V. I. Poltev, V. P. Chuprina

STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF poly(dA) -poIy(dT) AND A : T SITES IN DNA. CALCULATIONS OF THE ENERGY OF NONVALENT INTERACTIONS IN THE SYSTEM CONSISTING OF A REGULAR POLYNUCLEOTIDE AND TWO HYDRATION SHELLS IN ITS MINOR GROOVE

Summary

    Interaction of poly (dA)-poly(dT) with two hydration shells forming a hydration spine similar to that found in the central part of the double-helical fragment d(CGCGAATTCGCG) in crystal to a considerable extent determines the existence of a specific polynucleotide conformation in fibers and in solutions. Atom-molecular models of these conformations with a narrow minor groove, a negative tilt and a positive pro¬peller of the bases have been proposed. They explain a number of experimental facts con¬cerning biologically important structural properties of DNA.