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Sequence context of oligomer tracts in eukaryotic dna: Biological and conformational implications

  • Ruth Nussinov
  • , Akinori Sarai
  • , Gary W. Smythers
  • , Robert L. Jemigan
  • National Institutes of Health

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent studies of homooligomer tracts suggest different characteristics from random sequence DNA. (dA) · (dT) and (dG) · (dC) tracts are frequent in upstream regions and in some cases have been shown to be essential for regulation. Here we examine homooligomer occurrences in non-coding and coding eukaryotic sequences, focusing on the context in which the homooligomers occur. This analysis of sequences in the junction areas yields distinct and consistent characteristics. In particular, the nucleotide interrupting a run is most frequently complementary to the run. The base next to it is most frequently identical to the one constituting the run. For A or T runs the least frequent nearest and next to nearest neighbors are G or C. For G or C tracts the least frequent are A or T. Complementary oligomers behave similarly. These and additional trends are strongest for run lengths >3. The computations are carried out on the whole eukaryotic database of >4×l06 nucleotides, separately for coding and noncoding regions. These same trends are evident for both groups, but are somewhat stronger for the non-coding regions. The context in which the homooligomers occur may yield some clues to DNA conformation and its biological implications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)543-562
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics
Volume6
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1988

Funding

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesNOl-C0-74102

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