Abstract
Z-DNA is a left-handed helix which can form within tracts of alternating purines and pyrimidines. Tracts of potential Z-DNA identified by sequence inspection are often noted within regulatory portions of genes, but evidence that these tracts of sequence actually exist as Z-DNA is very limited, and not available for any plant gene. In this study, the chemical probes osmium tetroxide, diethylpyrocarbonate and hydroxylamine were used to show that a tract of alternating purines and pyrimidines in the Adh1 promoter (from -311 to -325) actually assumes a Z-DNA conformation under superhelical stress in vitro.
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Ferl, R.J., Paul, AL. Chemical detection of Z-DNA within the maize Adh1 promoter. Plant Mol Biol 18, 1181–1184 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00047722
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00047722