Sequence-Dependent Helical Structure and Global Responses of DNA Part I.<br/><br/>
Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 9:00am - 10:00am
EE/CS 3-180
Wilma Olson (Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)
(Towards understanding the processing and packaging of genetic
information at the molecular level)
information at the molecular level)
Part I. Information content in known three-dimensional structures
of nucleic acids: sequence-dependent conformation, deformation,
interactions
A. The classic B-DNA double helix: Watson-Crick base pair
side groups vs. the polyanionic sugar-phosphate backbone
B. DNA phase transitions and RNA double helices
The A/B double helical transition and DNA bending
Structural discriminants of A vs. B DNA
Protein-induced A/B transitions
The B/C double helical transition and DNA packaging
Nucleosome core particle: a striking example of protein-induced
DNA deformation via concerted changes in kinking and base-pair
displacement
Tight bending of DNA via B→A and B→C helical transitions- The A-RNA double helix, including non-canonical base
pairs
C. Chemical basis of DNA sequence-dependent properties:
structure, deformability, recognition
- Indirect (electrostatic) mechanism of nucleosomal DNA folding
vs. sequence-dependent character of known positioning sequences - Indirect recognition of sequences: pyrimidine-purine
base-pair steps as sites of DNA deformability - Patterns of base-amino acid contacts: direct recognition of
specific DNA sequences by proteins - DNA electrostatics, amino acid binding propensities,
intrinsic curvature - Recognition and structural roles of non-canonical base pairs
MSC Code:
92D20