Human genomic Z-DNA segments probed by the Z alpha domain of ADAR1.

ABSTRACT: Double-stranded DNA is a dynamic molecule that adopts different secondary structures. Experimental evidence indicates Z-DNA plays roles in DNA transactions such as transcription, chromatin remodeling and recombination. Furthermore, our computational analysis revealed that sequences with high Z-DNA forming potential at moderate levels of DNA supercoiling are enriched in human promoter regions. However, the actual distribution of Z-DNA segments in genomes of mammalian cells has been elusive due to the unstable nature of Z-DNA and lack of specific probes. Here we present a first human genome map of most stable Z-DNA segments obtained with A549 tumor cells. We used the Z-DNA binding domain, Z alpha, of the RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 as probe in conjunction with a novel chromatin affinity precipi

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2677879 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature