Ultraviolet resonance Raman marker bands of the right to left helix structure transitions in DNA and polynucleotide model compounds

J Biomol Struct Dyn. 1992 Aug;10(1):169-79. doi: 10.1080/07391102.1992.10508636.

Abstract

The right to left helix structural transition in purine-pyrimidine alternating copolymers has been extensively studied by vibrational spectroscopies, amongst many other experimental approaches. Here, the use of resonance Raman spectroscopy in the ultraviolet region (223-, 257- and 281 nm excitation wavelengths) to monitor such structural changes is reviewed in the light of new results obtained on poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) on one hand, and the previous results obtained on poly(dG-dC)2, poly(dA-dT)2 and natural DNA (Chicken erythrocytes) on the other. It is now possible to define B----Z transition marker bands involving the proper bases, which show a similar behaviour on structural transition whatever the composition of alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences: the 1580- and 1487 cm-1 lines of the purines, the 1486- and 1294 cm-1 lines of the pyrimidines are good markers in the vibrational spectra recorded at various UV excitation wavelengths.

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Polydeoxyribonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman*

Substances

  • Polydeoxyribonucleotides
  • poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT)
  • DNA