Z-DNA conformation of N-2-acetylaminofluorene modified poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) determined by reactivity with anti cytidine antibodies and minimized potential energy calculations.

The conformation of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), poly(dG).poly(dC), and calf thymus DNA modified with N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-acetoxy-AAF) was examined by extent of reaction with anti cytidine antibodies. In contrast to modified poly(dG).poly(dC0 and DNA, modified poly(dG-dC).poly (dG-dC) failed to react with the antibodies indicating that the base pairing in this polymer is intact. This in consistent with induction of the Z-DNA conformation in AAF modified poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). Using minimized potential energy calculations on the dCpdG-AAF dimer as a model for the modified polymer, it is shown that the proposed Z-DNA conformation is energetically stable. A model is proposed for an AAF modified tetramer, dGpdCpdGpdC, in which the AAF is external to the Z-DNA duplex.     

Hexammineruthenium (III) chloride: a highly efficient promoter of the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition of poly-(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC)

The effects of Ru(NH3)(3+)6 on the conformation of poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) were studied by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Ru(NH3)(3+)6 at very low concentrations provokes the Z-DNA conformation in both polynucleotides. In the presence of 50 mM NaCl, the concentration of Ru(NH3)(3+)6 at the midpoint of B to Z transition of poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) is 4 microM compared to 5 microM for Co(NH3)(3+)6. The half-lives of B to Z transition of poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) in the presence of 10 microM Ru(NH3)(3+)6 and Co(NHG3)(3+)6 are at 23 and 30 min, respectively. The concentration of Ru(NH3)(3+)6 at the midpoint of B to Z transition of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) is 50 microM. These results demonstrate that Ru(NH3)(3+)6 is a highly efficient trivalent cation for the induction of B to Z transition in poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). In contrast, Ru(NH3)(3+)6 has no significant effect on the conformation of calf thymus DNA, poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) and poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT).     

Interaction of drugs with Z-DNA: cooperative binding of actinomycin D or actinomine to the left-handed forms of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) reverses the conformation of the helix

The interaction of actinomycin D and actinomine with poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) under B- and Z-form conditions has been investigated by optical and phase partition techniques. Circular dichroism data show that the conformation at the binding site is right-handed, even though adjacent regions of the polymer have a left-handed conformation. Actinomycin D binds in a cooperative manner to poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) under both B-form and Z-form conditions. Analysis of the circular dichroism data shows that 5 +/- 1 base pairs of left-handed poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in 4.4 M NaCl switch to a right-handed conformation for each bound actinomycin D. When the left-handed form of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) is stabilized by the presence of 40 microM [Co(NH3)6]Cl3, 25 +/- 5 base pairs switch from a left-handed to a right-handed conformation for each bound actinomycin D. Actinomine binds cooperatively to left-handed poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in 40 microM [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 and to left-handed poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) in 2 mM MgCl2. Actinomine does not bind to left-handed poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in 4.4 M NaCl at concentrations as high as 100 microM. Each bound actinomine converts 11 +/- 3 base pairs of left-handed poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in 40 microM [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 and 7 +/- 2 base pairs of left-handed poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) in 2 mM MgCl2. The binding isotherm data also indicate that the binding site has a right-handed conformation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fibre X-ray study of the helix-helix transitions of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC).

Poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) present helix-helix transitions which are commonly assumed to be changes between the right-handed A- or B-DNA double helices and the left-handed Z-DNA structure. The mechanisms for such transconformations are highly improbable especially when they are supposed to be active in long polynucleotide chains organised in semicrystalline fibres. The present alternative possibility assumes that rather than the Z-DNA it is a right-handed double helix (S-DNA) which actually takes part in these form transitions. Two molecular models of this S form, in good agreement with X-ray measurements, are proposed. They present alternating C(2')-endo and C(3')-endo sugar puckering. Dihedral angles, sets of atomic co-ordinates and stereo views of the two S-DNA structures are given together with curves of calculated diffracted intensities.     

Reactivity and binding of benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide to poly(dG-dC).(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).(dG-m5dC) in the B and Z forms

The physical and covalent binding of the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-oxide (BaPDE) to poly(dG-dC).(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).(dG-m5dC) in the B and Z forms were studied utilizing absorbance, fluorescence and linear dichroism techniques. In the case of poly(dG-dC).(dG-dC) the decrease in the covalent binding of BaPDE with increasing NaCl concentration (0.1-4 M) as the B form is transformed to the Z form is attributed to the effects of high ionic strengths on the reactivity and physical binding of BaPDE to the polynucleotides; these effects tend to obscure differences in reactivities with the B and Z forms of the nucleic acids. In the case of poly(dG-m5dC).(dG-m5dC) the B-to-Z transition is induced at low ionic strength (2 mM NaCl + 10 microM Co(NH3)6Cl3) and the covalent binding is found to be 2-3-times lower to the Z form than to the B form. Physical binding of BaPDE by intercalation, which precedes the covalent binding reaction, is significantly lower in the Z form than in the B form, thus accounting, in part, for the lower covalent binding. The linear dichroism characteristics of BaPDE covalently bound to the Z and B forms of poly(dG-m5dC).(dG-m5dC) are consistent with nonintercalative, probably external conformations of the aromatic pyrenyl residues.     

Comparison between poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and DNA modified by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II): immunological and spectroscopic studies

The importance of the base composition and of the conformation of nucleic acids in the reaction with the drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) has been studied by competition experiments between the drug and several double-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides. Binding to poly(dG).poly(dC) is larger than to poly (dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). There is no preferential binding in the competition between poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) and poly(dA-dG).poly(dC-dT). In the competition between poly(dG-dC).poly (dG-dC) (B conformation) and poly(dG-br5dC).poly(dG-br5dC) (Z conformation), the drug binds equally well to both polynucleotides. In natural DNA, modification of guanine residues in (GC)n.(GC)n sequences by the drug has been revealed by the inhibition of cleavage of these sequences by the restriction enzyme BssHII. By means of antibodies to platinated poly(dG-dC), it is shown that some of the adducts formed in platinated poly(dG-dC) are also formed in platinated pBR322 DNA. The type of adducts recognized the antibodies is not known. Thin layer chromatography of the products after chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of platinated poly(dG-dC) suggests that interstrand cross-links are formed. Finally, the conformations of poly(dG-dC) modified either by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) or by trans-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) have been compared by circular dichroism. Both the cis-isomer and the trans-isomer stabilize the Z conformation when they bind to poly(dG-m5dC) in the Z conformation. When they bind to poly(dG-m5dC) in the B conformation, the conformations of poly(dG-m5dC) modified by the cis or the trans-isomer are different. Moreover, the cis-isomer facilitates the B form-Z form transition of the unplatinated regions while the trans-isomer makes it more difficult.     

Immunological and spectroscopic studies of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) modified by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

The conformational changes induced by the binding of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) to poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) have been studied by reaction with specific antibodies, by circular dichroism and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to Z-DNA bind to platinated poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) at low and high ionic strength. Antibodies elicited in rabbits immunized with the platinated polynucleotide bind to double stranded polynucleotides known to adopt the Z-conformation. At low and high ionic strength the circular dichroism spectrum of platinated poly(dG-dC).poly(dG- dC) does not resemble that of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) (B or Z conformation). At low ionic strength, the characteristic 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the Z-form is not detected. It appears only at high ionic strength, as a component of a more complex spectrum.     

Immunological detection of B-DNA to Z-DNA transition of polynucleotides by immobilization of the DNA conformation on a solid support

We studied the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) in the presence of NaCl using an enzyme immunoassay. The polynucleotides were coated on microtiter plates at varying concentrations of NaCl and treated with a monoclonal anti-Z-DNA antibody, Z22. The plates were subsequently treated with alkaline phosphatase conjugated polyvalent mouse immunoglobulins and the enzyme substrate, p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The color development due to the enzyme-substrate reaction was quantitated using a microplate autoreader. Our results show that the antibody does not recognize the polynucleotides in the B-DNA conformation and binds strongly to the Z-DNA conformation. A smooth transition curve is obtained at intermediate concentrations of the counterions. From the transition curves, we determined the concentration of the counterions at the midpoint of B-DNA to Z-DNA transition. The midpoint concentrations for poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) are 2.3 and 0.74 M NaCl, respectively. Using the immunological method, we also examined the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition of poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) in the presence of naturally occurring polyamines. The midpoint concentrations of the polyamines are as follows: putrescine, 2.5 mM; spermidine, 34 microM; spermine, 1.8 microM. The midpoint values determined by the enzyme immunoassay are in good agreement with those determined by circular dichroism and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopic measurements. These results demonstrate that immobilization of a preexisting conformation or a mixture of conformations of DNA on a solid support followed by a titration of the DNA conformations using a monoclonal anti-DNA antibody is an excellent method to study the conformational dynamics of DNA.     

Fluorescence-detected circular dichroism of ethidium bound to poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC) under B- and Z-form conditions

The equilibrium binding of ethidium to poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC) under conditions favoring B and Z forms was investigated with fluorescence-detected circular dichroism (FDCD) and optical titration methods. FDCD spectra indicate a similar geometry for the intercalated ethidium under both B- and Z-form conditions, even at low levels of bound ethidium. The magnitude of the 310-330-nm FDCD band as a function of the bound drug to base pair ratio (r) indicates ethidium binds to poly(dG-dC) in 4.4 M NaCl and to poly(dG-m5dC) in 25 mM MgCl2 by clustering. Under these conditions, circular dichroism spectra indicate the polymer is largely Z form. Thus, it appears ethidium clusters into regions it has induced into a right-handed form. For all conditions studied, the FDCD spectra provided no evidence for a left-handed binding site. Under B-form conditions, binding is random.     

B----Z DNA conformational changes induced by a family of dinuclear bis(platinum) complexes.

The reactions of bis(platinum) complexes of general formula [(PtClm(NH3)3-m)2(NH2(CH2)nNH2)]2(2-m)+ were studied with poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) and poly(dG).poly(dC). When m = 0 (Complexes II, n = 2,4) the complexes are saturated 4+ cations capable only of electrostatic interactions with the polynucleotide. Where m = 1 the complexes contain two monodentate platinum coordination spheres with the chloride trans to the diamine bridge (Complexes I, n = 2,4, 1,1/t,t). Complexes I give CD spectra characteristic of a 'Z-like' conformation upon reaction with poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) but not poly(dG).poly(dC). The B----Z transition appears independent of interplatinum diamine chain length. As little as 1 bis(platinum) complex per 25-30 base pairs is sufficient to observe the Z-like spectrum. Covalent binding is however not a prerequisite for Z-DNA formation because the polyvalent cations II are also very effective in inducing the B----Z transition in either poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) or poly (dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC). In these cases, the concentrations of II required are significantly lower than analogous monomeric agents such as [Co(NH3)6]3+. The possible biological consequences of the Z-DNA induction by bis(platinum) complexes are discussed.     

Importance of DNA conformation in the reaction with cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II)

Cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) has been reacted with synthetic polynucleotides either in B or in Z conformation. The binding of cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) stabilizes the Z conformation when reacted with poly (dG-m⁵dC) ·poly (dG-m⁵dC) in the Z conformation as shown by circular dichroism and by the antibodies to Z-DNA. On the other hand, the binding of cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) stabilizes a new conformation when reacted with poly(dG-dC)·poly(dG-dC) or poly (dG-m⁵dC)·poly(dG-m5dC) in the B conformation. The antibodies to Z-DNA bind to these platinated polynucleotides. In rabbits, the injection of platinated poly (dG-dC) poly (dG-dC) induces the synthesis of antibodies which recognize Z-DNA. In low salt conditions, the circular dichroism spectra of these platinated polynucleotides differ from those of B-DNA or Z-DNA. The characteristic³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of Z-DNA is not detected. It appears only at high ionic strength, as a component of a more complex spectrum.     

Conformational transitions of polynucleotides in the presence of rhodium complexes

We studied the effects of hexammine and tris(ethylene diamine) complexes of rhodium on the conformation of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) using spectroscopic techniques and an enzyme immunoassay. Circular dichroism spectroscopic measurements showed that Rh(NH3)6(3+) provoked a B-DNA----Z-DNA----psi-DNA conformational transition in poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). Using the enzyme immunoassay technique with a monoclonal anti-Z-DNA antibody, we found that the left-handedness of the polynucleotide was maintained in the psi-DNA form. In addition, we compared the efficacy of Rh(NH3)6(3+) and Rh(en)3(3+) to provoke the Z-DNA conformation in poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC.poly(dG-m5dC). The concentrations of Rh(NH3)6(3+) and Rh(en)3(3+) at the midpoint B-DNA----Z-DNA transition of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) were 48 +/- 2 and 238 +/- 2 microM, respectively. The psi-DNA form of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) was stabilized at 500 microM Rh(NH3)6(3+). With poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dg-m5dC), both counterions provoked the Z-DNA form at approximately 5 microM and stabilized the polynucleotide in this form up to 1000 microM concentration. These results show that trivalent complexes of Rh have a profound influence on the conformation of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and its methylated derivative. Furthermore, the Rh complexes are capable of maintaining the Z-DNA form at concentration ranges far higher than that of other trivalent complexes. Our results also demonstrate that the efficacy of trivalent inorganic complexes to induce the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) is dependent on the nature of the ligand as well as the polynucleotide modification. Differences in charge density and hydration levels of counterions or base sequence- and counterion-dependent specific interactions between DNA and metal complexes might be possible mechanisms for the observed effects.     

Bromination stabilizes poly(dG-dC) in the Z-DNA form under low-salt conditions

Using circular dichroism studies, Pohl & Jovin (1972) [Pohl, F.M., & Jovin, T.M. (1972) J. Mol. Biol. 67, 375-396] demonstrated that poly(dG-dC) undergoes a salt-dependent conformational change characterized by a spectral inversion. The low-salt form corresponds to the right-handed B form of DNA and the high-salt form to the left-handed Z-DNA helix. Modification of poly(dG-dC) by adding bromine atoms to the C8 position of guanine and the C5 position of cytosine residues stabilized this polymer in the Z-DNA form under low-salt conditions. The guanine residues were found to be twice as reactive as the cytosine residues. With a modification of 38% Br8G and 18% Br5C, the polymers formed a stable Z-DNA helix under physiological conditions. The bromination produced spectroscopic features very similar to poly(dG-dC) in 4 M NaCl. However, bromination did not freeze the Z structure as was shown by ethidium bromide intercalation studies. Addition of the dye favored an intercalated B-DNA form. The conversion of B- to Z-DNA leads to profound conformational changes which were also seen by a reduced insensitivity to various exo- and endonucleases. Comparative studies showed that the brominated polymers have a high affinity to nitrocellulose filters. In 1 M NaCl, there was virtually no binding of B-DNA, but a substantial binding of Z-DNA was found even at rather low levels of bromination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Conformational changes of poly(dG-dC) . poly(dG-dC) modified by the carcinogen N-acetoxy-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene.

Poly (dG-dC) . poly(dG-dC) was modified by the reaction with N-acetoxy-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene. The conformations of poly(dG-dC) . poly(dG-dC) and of poly d(G-C)AAF were studied by circular dichroism under various experimental conditions. In 95% ethanol, the two polynucleotides adopt the A-form. In 3.9 M LiCl, the transition B-form-C-form is observed with poly(dG-dC) . poly (dG-dC) but not with poly d(G-C)AAF. In 1 mM phosphate buffer, poly d(G-C)AAF behaves as a mixture of B- and Z-form, the relative percentages depending upon the amounts of modified bases. The percentage of Z-form is decreased by addition of EDTA and is increased by addition of Mg++. Spermine favors the Z-form in modified and unmodified polynucleotides. No defect in the double helix of poly d(G-C)AAF is detected by SI endonuclease.     

Electron microscopic measurement of chain flexibility of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) modified by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).

The antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cis-Pt) forms bidentate adducts with guanine residues of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). The secondary structure of the polymer is altered. In this work, high resolution pictures of naked molecules, obtained by dark field electron microscopy reveal DNA chain distortions with radii as small as 30 A. The extent of distortion increases with the drug/nucleotide ratio (rb). These alterations of the secondary structure are responsible for the apparent shortening of the molecules. Measurements of the persistence lengths of the polymer as well as the end-to-end distances of elementary segments of various lengths, are obtained from digitized electron micrographs. The measurements are used to monitor and quantify the observed modifications of polymer structure upon cis-Pt binding at various rb or incubation times. Poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) in the B and Z forms have different persistence lengths. In the B form, this polymer is more altered by cis-Pt than in the Z one.     

Base protonation facilitates B-Z interconversions of poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC)

Comparative studies on the salt titration and the related kinetics for poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) in pH 7.0 and 3.8 solutions clearly suggest that base protonation facilitates the kinetics of B-Z interconversion although the midpoint for such a transition in acidic solution (2.0-2.1 M NaCl) is only slightly lower than that of neutral pH. The rates for the salt-induced B to Z and the reverse actinomycin D induced Z to B transitions in pH 3.8 solutions are at least 1 order of magnitude faster than the corresponding pH 7.0 counterparts. The lowering of the B-Z transition barrier is most likely the consequence of duplex destabilization due to protonation as indicated by a striking decrease (approximately 40 degrees C) in melting temperature upon H+ binding in low salt. The thermal denaturation curve for poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) in a pH 3.8, 2.6 M NaCl solution indicates an extremely cooperative melting at 60.5 degrees C for protonated Z DNA, which is immediately followed by aggregate formation and subsequent hydrolysis to nucleotides at higher temperatures. The corresponding protonated B-form poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) in 1 M NaCl solution exhibits a melting temperature about 15 degrees C higher, suggesting further duplex destabilization upon Z formation.     

Ethidium binding to left-handed (Z) DNAs results in regions of right-handed DNA at the intercalation site

The equilibrium binding of ethidium to the right-handed (B) and left-handed (Z) forms of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) was investigated by optical and phase partition techniques. Ethidium binds to the polynucleotides in a noncooperative manner under B-form conditions, in sharp contrast to highly cooperative binding under Z-form conditions. Correlation of binding isotherms with circular dichroism (CD) data indicates that the cooperative binding of ethidium under Z-form conditions is associated with a sequential conversion of the polymer from a left-handed to a right-handed conformation. Determination of bound drug concentrations by various titration techniques and the measurement of circular dichroism spectra have enabled us to calculate the number of base pairs of left-handed DNA that adopt a right-handed conformation for each bound drug; 3-4 base pairs of left-handed poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in 4.4 M NaCl switch to the right-handed form for each bound ethidium, while approximately 25 and 7 base pairs switch conformations for each bound ethidium in complexes with poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in 40 microM [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) in 2 mM MgCl2, respectively. The induced ellipticity at 320 nm for the ethidium-poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) complex in 4.4 M NaCl indicates that the right-handed regions are nearly saturated with ethidium even though the overall level of saturation is very low. The circular dichroism data indicate that ethidium intercalates to form a right-handed-bound drug region, even at low r values where the CD spectra show that the majority of the polymer is in a left-handed conformation.     

Preferential binding of the chemical carcinogen N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene to B-DNA as compared to Z-DNA

The reaction between the chemical carcinogen N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene and poly (dG-dC) . poly (dG-dC) (B-form), poly (dG-m5dC) . poly (dG-m5dC) (B-or Z-form), poly(dG-br5dC) . poly (dG-br5dC) (Z-form) has been studied. The carcinogen binds covalently to B-DNA but does not bind significantly to Z-DNA. These results are discussed as related to the accessibility, the electrostatic potential and the dynamic structure of DNA. The accessibility and the electrostatic potential of DNA do not explain the difference in reactivity of the carcinogen since a related carcinogen N-acetoxy-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene binds equally well to both B and Z-DNA. On the other hand, poly (dG-dC) . poly(dG-dC) and poly (dG-br5dC) . poly(dG-br5dC), in presence of ethidium bromide binds equally well to N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene. It is suggested that the very low binding of this carcinogen to Z-DNA as compared to B-DNA is due to differences in the dynamic structures of these two forms of DNA.     

Toroidal condensation of Z DNA and identification of an intermediate in the B to Z transition of poly(dG-m5dC) X poly(dG-m5dC)

Using a combination of spectroscopic techniques, quasi-elastic laser light scattering (QLS), and electron microscopy (EM), we have been able to show that the B to Z transition of poly(dG-m5dC) X poly(dG-m5dC) is accompanied by extensive condensation of the DNA in both low and high ionic strength buffers. At low concentrations of NaCl (2 mM Na+), an intermediate rodlike form, which exhibits a circular dichroism (CD) spectrum characteristic of an equimolar mixture of B and Z forms, is observed. This is produced by the orderly self-association of about four molecules of the polymer after prolonged incubation of a concentrated solution at 4 degrees C. On addition of 5 microM Co(NH3)63+, the CD spectrum of the intermediate changes to that of the Z form, which is visualized as a dense population of discrete toroids on an EM grid stained with uranyl acetate. On the other hand, addition of NaCl to a solution of poly(dG-m5dC) X poly(dG-m5dC) in the absence of any multivalent ion condenses the polymer to toroidal structures at the midpoint (0.75 M NaCl) of the B to Z transition. Further addition of NaCl unfolds these toroids to rodlike structures, which show characteristic Z-form CD spectra. These results show that Z DNA can take up a variety of tertiary structural forms and indicate that its inverted CD spectrum is due to its left-handed helical sense rather than to differential scattering artifacts.