Nucleic acids function and structure

Cimino, C.P., Camper, H.B., Isaacs, S.T., and Hearst, J.E. (1985) Psoralens as photoactive probes of nucleic acid structure and function Organic chemistry, photochemistry, and biochemistry. Annu. Rev. Biochem. 54, 1151-1193. 

That is enough for now about proteins. Let s turn our attention to the building blocks of the nucleic acids and relate these to nucleic acid structure and function. 

The versatility of agarose gels is obvious when one reviews their many applications in nucleic acid analysis. The rapid advances in our understanding of nucleic acid structure and function in recent years are due primarily to the development of agarose gel electrophoresis as an analytical tool. Two of the many applications of agarose gel electrophoresis will be described here. 

Sclavi, B., Woodson, S., Sulhvan, M., Chance, M. R., and Brenowitz, M. (1997). Time-resolved synchrotron X-ray footprinting , a new approach to the study of nucleic acid structure and function Application to protein-DNA interactions and RNA folding. J. Mol. Biol. 266, 144-159. 

M. F. Perutz, Proteins and Nucleic Acids Structure and Function. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1962, pp. 64 and 66. 

Abstract Nucleic acids were one of the first biological targets explored with DCC, and research into the application has continued to yield novel and useful structures for sequence- and structure-selective recognition of oligonucleotides. This chapter reviews major developments in DNA- and RNA-targeted DCC, including methods under development for the conversion of DCC-derived lead compounds into probe molecules suitable for studies in vitro and in vivo. Innovative applications of DCC for the discovery of new materials based on nucleic acids and new methods for the modification of nucleic acid structure and function are also discussed. 

Clearly, the antisense concept derives from an understanding of nucleic acid structure and function and depends on Watson-Crick hybridization (18). Thus, arguably, the demonstration that nucleic acid hybridization is... 

Effect of chirality of ribose on nucleic acid structure and function 99YZ689. 

It is believed that the synergistic interplay of these three q>proaches can be an especially effective computational strategy for a better understanding of nucleic acid structure and function. 

Almost all of the calculations on polyads were performed for isolated base complexes thus neglecting effects of nucleic backbone, solvent and also of entropic contributions. Erqreriments most directly related to quantum-chemical results are gas phase investigations on base pairs.Nevertheless, it makes also sense to compare the results of quantum-chemical studies on base pairs or polyads to complete three-dimensional nucleic acid structures. One should realize, however, that there is a long way to go from results of quantum-chemical studies on building blocks to nucleic acid structure and function. The power of this approach is that it can help to separate the effects of different parts of the nucleic acid, such as backbone and bases, on the overall structure. In addition, it provides useful information on charge distribution and electrostatic potentials relevant for the determination of interaction sites with cations such as K, the most abundant cation in cells. Finally, the interaction energies can be studied in great detail. For example non-additive contributions can be determined. 

Fluorescent nucleoside analogs Probes for investigating nucleic acid structure and function 13IJC366. 

Perutz, M. Proteins and nucleic acids structure and function. Amsterdam Elsevier 1962... 

Band sedimentation has been used extensively in the study of nucleic acid structure and function. We give below a few examples. 

Complementary bases are nucleotide bases that form strong hydrogen bonds with one another. Adenine and th)nnme are complementary bases, as are adenine and uracil, and guanine and cytosine. Hydrogen bonding of complementary bases, called base pairing, is the key to nucleic acid structure and function (see Figure 25.11). 

The problems related to the MM approach to nucleic acid structure and functions differ in some aspects from those for proteins. The main computational tasks in the 1960s in the area of the nucleic acids were to rationalize the structure of native and modified DNA duplexes, t-RNAs,... 

For the theoretical investigation of nucleic acid structure and function the application of quantum mechanical approaches is currently limited by the large size and complexity of nucleic acids. 

G. D. Cimino, H. B. Gamper, S. T. Isaacs, and J. E. Hearst, Psoralens as photoactive probes of nucleic acid structure and function organic chemistry, photochemistry and biochemistry Annual Review of Biochemistry, vol. 54, pp. 1151-1193, 1985. 

---