TIME-RESOLVED X-RAY-DIFFRACTION STUDIES OF THE B-REVERSIBLE-D STRUCTURAL TRANSITION IN THE DNA DOUBLE HELIX

Because of the relation between topology and function, there has been much interest in the structural transitions of the various conformations of DNA polymers. The x-ray fiber diffraction analysis system at the Daresbury Synchrotron Radiation Source was used to study the reversible transition between the B and D forms of the synthetic DNA poly left bracket d(A-T) right bracket multiplied by (times) poly left bracket d(A-T) right bracket . The gradual progression of conformations between these two forms indicates that the DNA double helix does not undergo a change of handedness during this transition.