Helix B-form

Figure 5.46 Schematic representation of helical and twisted ribbons as discussed in Ref. 165. Top Platelet or flat ribbon. Helical ribbons (helix A), precursors of tubules, feature inner and outer faces. Twisted ribbons (helix B), formed by some gemini surfactant tartrate complexes, have equally curved faces and C2 symmetry axis. Bottom Consequences of cylindrical and saddlelike curvatures in multilayered structures. In stack of cylindrical sheets, contact area from one layer to next varies. This is not the case for saddlelike curvature, which is thus favored when the layers are coordinated. Reprinted with permission from Ref. 165. Copyright 1999 by Macmillan Magazines.

Fig. 11.27. Stereoscopic drawings of three crystalline polymorphs of isotactic poly(l-butene) (a) Form I, 3i-helix (b) Form II, ll3-helix and (c) Form III, 4i-helix.

Abstract The physical aspects of DNA structure and function are overviewed. Major DNA structures are described, which include the canonical Watson-Crick double helix (B form), B , A, Z duplex forms, parallel-stranded DNA, triplexes and quadruplexes. Theoretical models, which are used to treat DNA, are considered with special emphasis on the elastic-rod model. DNA topology, supercoiling and their biological significance are extensively discussed. Recent developments in the understanding of molecular interactions responsible for the stability of the DNA double helix are presented. 

---