Question

What Is Special About Z DNA?

Answer 1

Z DNA:

1. The double DNA strands in Z-DNA are coiled in a left-handed pattern.
2. It differs from B-DNA, which is more typically found and coiled in a right-handed way, as proposed by the Watson and Crick model.
3. Robert Wells was the first to discover Z DNA.
4. Under physiological settings, DNA with alternately purine and pyrimidine repeat sequences has the potential to adopt this non-B structure in vivo.
5. Especially in actively transcribed portions of the genome.
6. Z-DNA is hypothesized to play a function in gene expression control, as well as DNA processing and/or genetic instability.
7. In cellular systems, Z-DNA-forming sequences, for example, have the potential to increase the frequency of recombination, deletion, and translocation events.