T-T Base Mismatches Enhance Drug Binding at the Branch Site in a Four-Arm DNA Junction

Min Zhong, Michael S. Rashes, Luis A. Marky, Neville R. Kallenbach

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Base mismatches—non Watson-Crick pairing between bases—can arise in duplex DNA as a consequence of mutational events or by recombination. In a duplex, the sequence of the two bases involved, and those flanking the site of mismatch, determines the local structure and extent of destabilization of the helix. Base mismatches can arise also in recombination of nonhomologous strands, and their occurrence in Holliday recombination intermediates can influence the outcome of general or specialized recombination events. We have previously reported that the branch site in a DNA junction can interact selectively with a variety of ligands. Here we describe the thermodynamics of junctions containing T-T mismatches flanking the branch and show that these structures bind methidium and other intercalators with higher affinity than junctions lacking mismatches.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8064-8071
Number of pages8
JournalBiochemistry
Volume31
Issue number34
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 1992

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry

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