Z-DNA

Definition 1

Z-DNA can be obtained for certain sequences such as CGCGCG by increasing the salt concentration of the solution containing the sample to 4 molar NaCl. Z-DNA is left-handed and the thinnest & tallest with a diameter of about 18 Angstrom. The sugar pucker is both C(3')-endo and C(2')-endo. In Z-DNA, the Watson-Crick base pairs are perpendicular to the helix axis. When examined from the top of the helix, bases are present throughout the matrix of the helix with no exclusive domains for either the bases or the backbone. At times the sugar phosphate backbone travels very close to the center of the helix, and the bases to the very edge of the helix. (NCI Thesaurus)

Definition 2

"zigzag" left-handed conformer of DNA; naturally occurring Z DNA is sensitive to a different set of enzymes and binding proteins than "normal" B DNA, and is thought to play an important role in genetic regulation. (NIH CRISP Thesaurus)

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