2pkv

OverviewOverview

The behaviour of the d(GGTATACC) oligonucleotide has been investigated by, X-ray crystallography at 295 K in the range from ambient pressure to 2 GPa, ( approximately 20 000 atm). Four 3D-structures of the A-DNA form (at, ambient pressure, 0.55, 1.09 and 1.39 GPa) were refined at 1.60 or 1.65 A, resolution. In addition to the diffraction pattern of the A-form, the, broad meridional streaks previously explained by occluded B-DNA octamers, within the channels of the crystalline A-form matrix were observed up to, at least 2 GPa. This work highlights an important property of nucleic, acids, their capability to withstand very high pressures, while keeping in, such conditions a nearly invariant geometry of base pairs that store and, carry genetic information. The double-helix base-paired architecture, behaves as a molecular spring, which makes it especially adapted to very, harsh conditions. These features may have contributed to the emergence of, a RNA World at prebiotic stage.

About this StructureAbout this Structure

2PKV is a Protein complex structure of sequences from [1]. Full crystallographic information is available from OCA.

ReferenceReference

Adaptation of the base-paired double-helix molecular architecture to extreme pressure., Girard E, Prange T, Dhaussy AC, Migianu-Griffoni E, Lecouvey M, Chervin JC, Mezouar M, Kahn R, Fourme R, Nucleic Acids Res. 2007 Jul 7;. PMID:17617642

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