Alcohol induced B-A transition of DNAs with different base compositions studied by circular dichroism

The circular dichroic (CD) spectra of natural DNAs (from Cl. perfringens, T2 phage, calf thymus, E. coli, and M. lysodeikticus) as well as duplexes of synthetic DNAs (poly(dA) X poly(dT), poly(dA-dT), and poly(dG-dC] were measured in water-ethanol mixtures with 0.3 mM NaCl. A conformational change from the B to the A form was observed for the natural DNAs on adding ethanol. The ethanol concentration that induces the transition and the extent of the change in the CD spectrum are different for the five natural DNAs depending on their GC contents. The higher the GC content is, the more easily the transition to the A form takes place. The results indicate that the GC content of a DNA is an important factor for induction of the B-A transition. The results for the synthetic DNAs show that their properties cannot be inferred by simple extrapolation of those of natural DNAs. Coexisting ions and the molecular weight of a DNA were also found to affect the induction of the B-A transition.     

Sedimentation of DNA in ethanol-water solutions within the interval of B to A transition.

Sedimentation of DNA ethanol-water solutions has been studied over the range of ethanol concentrations corresponding to the B to A transition (65-80% ethanol, v/v). High ethanol concentrations (more than 75%) have been found to promote aggregate formation in solution. The molecular weight of DNA under fixed ionic conditions in solution (5x10(-4)M NaCl) has been shown to influence the value of ethanol concentration at which aggregates appear. On the other hand, the fact that DNA molecular weight has not been found to exert any influence on B to A transition curves obtained from CD measurements suggests that the changes observed in DNA CD spectra on adding ethanol to the solution are independent of aggregate formation. The date obtained show that, first, aggregation is not a necessary condition for the DNA transition from the B to the A-conformation and, second, changes in CD spectra of DNA under the influence of ethanol are not related to the process of aggregation.     

On the flexibility of the boundaries between the A-form and B-form sections in DNA molecule.

The degree of orientation of DNA in a flow has been studied within the interval of the B - A transition induced by ethanol. The orientation of the B DNA (60-65% ethanol, v/v) and that of the A DNA (80-82% ethanol) are nearly identical. This means that both conformations have similar persistence lengths and that there is no aggregation in the course of formation of the A form. Within the transition range (65-78% ethanol) the orientation attains a sharp minimum which coincides with the half-transition point (73% ethanol). The cooperative character of the B - A transition presupposes the existence of boundaries between the alternating sections of the A and B conformations that may entail an increased flexibility of the DNA molecule and a corresponding drop of orientation. Theory predicts an elliptical dependence of the number of boundaries on the proportion of the A form. The experimental degree of orientation follows the same pattern. Quantitative evaluation shows that the flexibility of a boundary is small, so that several dozen of boundaries are required to simulate free rotation.     

Transforming Region of Group A, B, and C Adenoviruses: DNA Homology Studies with Twenty-Nine Human Adenovirus Serotypes

The 31 human adenovirus (Ad) serotypes form five groups based upon DNA genome homologies: group A (Ad12, 18, 31), group B (Ad3, 7, 11, 14, 16, 21), group C (Ad1, 2, 5, 6), group D (Ad8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22-30), and group E (Ad4) (M. Green, J. Mackey, W. Wold, and P. Rigden, Virology, in press). Group A Ads are highly oncogenic in newborn hamsters, group B Ads are weakly oncogenic, and other Ads are nononcogenic. However, most or all Ads transform cultured cells. We have studied the homology of Ad5, Ad7, and Ad12 transforming restriction endonuclease DNA fragments with DNAs of 29 Ad types. Ad5 HindIII-G (map position 0-7.3), Ad7 XhoI-C (map position 0-10.8), and Ad12 (strain Huie) EcoRI-C (map position 0-16) and SalI-C (map position 0-10.6) fragments were purified, labeled in vitro (nick translation), and annealed with DNAs of Ad1 to Ad16, Ad18 to Ad24, and Ad26 to Ad31. Hybrids were assayed by using hydroxylapatite. Ad5 HindIII-G hybridized 98 to 100% with DNAs of group C Ads, but only 1 to 15% with DNAs of other types. Ad7 XhoI-C fragment hybridized 85 to 99% with DNAs of group B Ads, but only 6 to 21% with DNAs of other types. Ad12 (Huie) EcoRI-C hybridized 53 to 68% with DNAs of five other Ad12 strains, 53% with Ad18 DNA, 56% with Ad31 DNA, but only 3 to 13% with DNAs of other types. In vitro-labeled Ad12 (Huie) SalI-C hybridized 35 to 71% with DNAs of 6 other Ad12 strains, 44% with Ad18 DNA, 52% with Ad31 DNA, but only 2 to 7% with DNAs Ad7, Ad2, Ad26, or Ad4. When assayed using S-1 nuclease, SalI-C annealed 17 to 44% with DNAs of group A Ads. The melting temperatures of the hybrids of Ad5 HindIII-G with all group C Ad DNAs were 84 degrees C in 0.12 M sodium phosphate (pH 6.8). The melting temperature of the Ad12 (Huie) EcoRI-C hybrid with Ad12 (Huie) DNA was 83 degrees C, but was only 71 to 77 degrees C with DNAs of other group A Ads. Thus, group C and group B Ads both have very homologous transforming regions that are not represented in DNAs of non-group C Ads or non-group B Ads, respectively. Similarily, group A Ads have unique but less homologous transforming regions. These different transforming nucleotide sequences may be reflected in the different oncogenic properties of group A, B, and C Ads.     

Conserved polynucleotide sequences among the genomes of papillomaviruses.

The DNAs of different members of the Papillomavirus genus of papovaviruses were analyzed for nucleotide sequence homology. Under standard hybridization conditions (Tm - 28 degrees C), no homology was detectable among the genomes of human papillomavirus type 1 (HPV-1), bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2), or cottontail rabbit (Shope) papillomavirus (CRPV). However, under less stringent conditions (i.e., Tm - 43 degrees C), stable hybrids were formed between radiolabeled DNAs of CRPV, BPV-1, or BPV-2 and the HindIII-HpaI A, B, and C fragments of HPV-1. Under these same conditions, radiolabeled CRPV and HPV-1 DNAs formed stable hybrids with HincII B and C fragments of BPV-2 DNA. These results indicate that there are regions of homology with as much as 70% base match among all these papillomavirus genomes. Furthermore, unlabeled HPV-1 DNA competitively inhibited the specific hybridization of radiolabeled CRPV DNA to bpv-2 DNA fragments, indicating that the homologous DNA segments are common among these remotely related papillomavirus genomes. These conserved sequences are specific for the Papillomavirus genus of papovaviruses as evidenced by the lack of hybridization between HPV-1 DNA and either simian virus 40 or human papovavirus BK DNA under identical conditions. These results indicate a close evolutionary relationship among the papillomaviruses and further establish the papillomaviruses and polyoma viruses as distinct genera.     

Further evidence for a high position-specific effect in the action of chemical mutagens on the chromosomes of barley

Summary B1 and B2 are small, circular, mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs found in male-sterile cytoplasm (cms-Bo) of rice. In this study, nuclear sequences homologous to these DNAs were investigated among a number of rice cultivars. Several copies of nuclear B1-and B2-homologous sequences were detected in all examined cultivars, regardless of the presence or absence of the B1 and B2 DNAs in mitochondria, indicating that the existence of the B1- and B2-homologous sequences in the rice nuclear genome was widespread. A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was detected for both sequences, and we propose that these DNAs could be useful RFLP markers for the rice nuclear genome. To analyze these nuclear homologues genetically, segregation analysis of the RFLP was carried out in the F₂ progenies of an Indica-Japonica rice hybrid. Of the B1 homologues, there were two nonallelic fragments, one specific to the Indica parent and the other to the Japonica. These results indicate that the B1 and B2 homologues were dispersed in the nuclear genome. The integration of B1-homologous DNA into the nuclear DNA may have occurred independently after sexual isolation of the Indica and Japonica rice varietal groups, or a intranuclear transposition of these sequences took place during the process of rice differentiation into the varietal groups.     

Phosphorus NMR spectra of natural DNA fragments in the course of the B-to-A conformational transition

Changes in the ³¹P-nmr spectra of sonicated natural DNA fragments were investigated in ethanol solutions where the fragments underwent, as checked by CD, the B-to-A conformational transition. The study produced the following conclusions: (1) The high DNA concentrations used for the ³¹P-nmr measurements promote the transition compared to dilute solutions that are commonly used for CD measurements. (2) The B-to-A transition was reflected in a cooperative downfield shift of the DNA ³¹P-nmr resonance, consistent with unwinding of the double helix. (3) Prior to the transition, the changes in chemical shift of double-and single-stranded DNAs were almost identical. It thus appears that the effect of ethanol on the geometry and hydration of phosphodiester linkages does not depend heavily on DNA base–base interactions. (4) The A-form resonances were 30–40% narrower than the B-form resonances, which is attributed to marked sequence-dependent variations in the latter conformation and to their reduction in the former. (5) The B-form DNA aggregated in the concentrated ³¹P-nmr samples in the presence of ethanol, judged from a milky opalescence of the solution and a substantial broadening of its ³¹P-nmr resonance. The broadening abruptly disappeared as soon as DNA adopted the A-form so that DNA, in dependence on the secondary structure, showed different tendencies to condense in the presence of ethanol. The condensation increased cooperativity of the B-to-A interconversion.     

The circular dichroism and X-ray diffraction of DNA condensed from ethanolic solutions.

It is known that DNA in aqueous-ethanol solutions undergoes a B to A conformational change between 60% and 80% (w/w) ethanol. We have found that precipitates formed by adding salt to DNA in 60% and 80% ethanolic solutions can be very different. DNA precipitated from 60% ethanol forms a fine condensate that only slowly settles out of suspension and shows a characteristic differential scattering of circularly polarized light at long wavelengths. DNA precipitated from 80% ethanol forms a flocculent aggregate that exhibits the CD spectral features of the A conformation. Data from circular dichroism spectra of natural and synthetic nucleic acids and from X-ray diffraction patterns of the precipitates show that DNA molecules precipitated from 60% and 80% ethanol are, respectively, in the B and A conformation. Therefore, the different secondary conformations of DNA in ethanolic solutions are maintained during precipitation under these conditions. These results are of general importance for the preparation and study of condensed forms of DNA, since a relatively small change in the extent of dehydration can change the secondary conformation of DNA and markedly affect the character of a subsequent precipitate.     

Preparation of milligram amounts of 21 deoxyribonucleic acid restriction fragments

Twenty-one DNA restriction fragments ranging in size from 12 to 880 base pairs (bp) were purified to homogeneity in milligram amounts. The developments which facilitated this work were (a) procedures for the rapid preparation of gram quantities of pure recombinant plasmid DNAs, (b) selective poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) precipitation of DNAs according to broad classes of lengths, and (c) large-scale high-pressure liquid chromatography on RPC-5 for the purification of fragments to homogeneity. The 95- and 301-bp sequences from the lactose control region of Escherichia coli were cloned into the single EcoRI site of pVH51 in up to four copies per plasmid. These tandem inserts are separated by EcoRI sites and have a head to tail orientation in all cases. A total of 50 and 90 mg of th 95- and 301-bp fragments, respectively, were prepared from 300-L fermentations of E. coli cells transformed with these plasmids. A rapid and improved method, which can easily be scaled up, for the purification of plasmids and DNA restriction fragments was developed. Also, the linear pVH51 vector DNA was digested with HaeIII to yield fragments ranging in size from 12 to 880 bp. The five smaller fragments (from 12 to 180 bp) were purified quantitatively by a selective PEG precipitation enrichment step followed by RPC-5 column fractionation. The larger fragments (245-880 bp) were prepared in milligram amounts. Ten subfragments from the 301-bp lac fragment were prepared by HpaII, HinfI, or HaeIII/AluI digestions followed by separation of the reaction products on RPC-5.     

Restriction endonuclease analysis of the genomes of virulent and avirulent Marek's disease viruses

The DNAs from virulent strain BC-1 and avirulent strains C2(A) of Marek's disease virus (MDV) were compared by electrophoresis on 0.5% agarose gels of the products obtained with the restriction endonucleases Bam H1, Sal 1, and Sma 1. The patterns of the fragments of the DNAs from these two strains were very similar, but showed some significant differences in the number and mobility of the DNA bands. The DNA fragments obtained with the restriction endonucleases, and especially Sma 1, were mostly present in equal molar ratios, but a few of those obtained with Bam H1 and Sal 1 were present in submolar amounts. In addition, several fragments obtained with Bam H1 and Sal 1 were present in greater than molar quantities, suggesting the presence of reiterated sequences in MDV DNA. The terminal fragments of MDV DNA were identified by their sensitivity to lambda 5'-exonuclease. The terminal fragments obtained with Bam H1 A and Sal 1B showed heterogeneous electrophoretic mobility and contained sequences with high content of guanosine and cytosine, suggesting the presence of reiterated sequences at the end of the MDV DNA molecule.     

The thermal stability of DNA fragments with tandem mismatches at a d(CXYG).d(CY'X'G) site.

Temperature-Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (TGGE) was employed to determine the thermal stabilities of 28 DNA fragments, 373 bp long, with two adjacent mismatched base pairs, and eight DNAs with Watson-Crick base pairs at the same positions. Heteroduplex DNAs containing two adjacent mismatches were formed by melting and reannealing pairs of homologous 373 bp DNA fragments differing by two adjacent base pairs. Product DNAs were separated based on their thermal stability by parallel and perpendicular TGGE. The polyacrylamide gel contained 3.36 M urea and 19.2 % formamide to lower the DNA melting temperatures. The order of stability was determined in the sequence context d(CXYG).d(CY'X'G) where X.X' and Y.Y" represent the mismatched or Watson-Crick base pairs. The identity of the mismatched bases and their stacking interactions influence DNA stability. Mobility transition melting temperatures (T u) of the DNAs with adjacent mismatches were 1.0-3.6 degrees C (+/-0.2 degree C) lower than the homoduplex DNA with the d(CCAG).d(CTGG) sequence. Two adjacent G.A pairs, d(CGAG).d(CGAG), created a more stable DNA than DNAs with Watson-Crick A.T pairs at the same sites. The d(GA).d(GA) sequence is estimated to be 0.4 (+/-30%) kcal/mol more stable in free energy than d(AA).d(TT) base pairs. This result confirms the unusual stability of the d(GA).d(GA) sequence previously observed in DNA oligomers. All other DNAs with adjacent mismatched base pairs were less stable than Watson-Crick homoduplex DNAs. Their relative stabilities followed an order expected from previous results on single mismatches. Two homoduplex DNAs with identical nearest neighbor sequences but different next-nearest neighbor sequences had a small but reproducible difference in T u value. This result indicates that sequence dependent next neighbor stacking interactions influence DNA stability.     

Binding of [(dien)PtCl] Cl to poly(dG-dC)-poly(dG-dC) facilitates the B goes to Z conformational transition.

Chlorodiethylenetriamineplatinum(II) chloride, [(dien)PtCl]Cl, bound to less than or equal to 10% of the nucleotide bases of poly(dG-dC) . poly(dG-dC) reduces the amount of ethanol necessary to bring about the B goes to Z conformational transition in proportion to the amount of platinum complex bound as monitored by CD spectroscopy. The transition may be effected by 25% ethanol with 9.3% of the bases modified polymer an ethanol with 5.4% of the bases modified. With an unmodified polymer an ethanol concentration of 55-60% is necessary to bring about the transition. The assignment of the Z conformation was supported by 31P NMR spectroscopy. This covalent modification of the DNA is reversed by treatment with cyanide ion after which the normal amount of ethanol is necessary to achieve the transition. The platinum complex shows no enhanced binding to DNA in the Z versus the B conformation. Between 20 and 33% (saturation binding) modification, [(dien)PtCl]Cl binds cooperatively to the heterocopolymer as judged by CD spectroscopy. At this high level of modification it is no longer possible to induce the Z DNA structure with ethanol. When [(dien)PtCl]Cl is bound to preformed (with ethanol) Z DNA at saturating levels the CD spectrum is altered but reverts to the spectrum of highly modified DNA upon removal of ethanol. The antitumor drug cis-diaminedichloroplatinum(II), cis-DDP, binds to poly(dG-dC) . poly(dG-dC) and alters the CD spectrum. It does not facilitate the B goes to Z conformational change, however, and actually prevents it from happening even at very high ethanol concentrations.     

Expression of adenovirus type 12 early region 1 in KB cells transformed by recombinants containing the gene.

The adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) early region 1 (E1) gene was introduced into KB cells by using a dominant selection vector, pSV2-gpt, and over 80 Gpt+ KB cell clones were established. Three types of recombinant DNAs (gAE1A, gARC, and gABA) were constructed. They contained the AccI-H, EcoRI-C, and BamHI-A fragments, respectively, of Ad12 DNA in pSV2-gpt. Five of 50 (10%) gABA-transformed cell clones, 12 of 18 (67%) gAE1A-transformed cell clones, and 10 of 18 (56%) gARC-transformed cell clones complemented the growth of Ad5 dl312 (deletion in E1A) and were designated as Gpt+ Ad+ cell clones. In these cell clones at their early passages, recombinant genome sequences were detected in cellular DNA and were expressed. T antigen g (the E1A gene product) was detected by immunofluorescence. The Gpt+ Ad+ cell clones supported the growth of Ad5 deletion mutants in parallel with the expression of Ad12 E1A or E1A plus E1B genes. After infection of Gpt+ Ad+ cell clones with Ad5 dl312, the early genes of dl312 were efficiently transcribed, indicating the expression of the pre-early function of the Ad12 E1A gene. Two clones each from gAE1A-,gARC-, and gABA-transformed cells were subcultured for a long period to determine the stability of the transfecting DNAs. Subculture in a nonselective medium resulted in cells which lost the transfecting DNAs. Subculture in a selective medium resulted in the selection of cells which maintained the gpt gene expression but lost the Ad12 gene expression. These results indicate that the transfecting DNA is present in an unstable state in KB cells.     

DNA B to D transition can be explained in terms of hydration economy of the minor groove atoms

Adjacent phosphate oxygen atoms in A and Z-DNA are located much closer together than in the B form and can be hydrated more economically due to the formation of water bridges between them, whereas in the B form phosphates are hydrated individually. This principle of hydration economy of phosphate groups discovered by Saenger and colleagues could not be applied to the B-D transition, which, like the B-A and B-Z transitions, occurs in a situation of water deficiency, because the distances between adjacent phosphates of individual polynucleotide chains in the D form are not much different from B-DNA. It follows from our calculations of B and D-DNA accessibility to solvent performed by the method of Lee & Richards, and from a simulation of solvent structure near DNA, that there is an economy of hydration only for the minor groove atoms. This feature and some experimental data can explain why only a limited range of sequences consisting of A.T or I.C pairs undergo the transition to the D form. The conformational transition in DNAs with such sequences to a poly[d(A]).poly[d(T])-like conformation (Bh-DNA), which is accompanied by a narrowing of the minor groove, can be explained in the same way. Calculations suggest that in the D-form minor groove of different A-T or I-C DNAs there is a double-layer hydration spine similar to that observed by Drew & Dickerson in the A-T tract of the d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G) dodecamer. The B-D and B-Bh transitions in A + T-rich DNAs can have biological implications, e.g. they can facilitate DNA bending upon the interaction with proteins.     

C-->G base mutations in the CArG box of c-fos serum response element alter its bending flexibility. Consequences for core-SRF recognition

By binding to the CArG box sequence, the serum response factor (SRF) activates several muscle-specific genes, as well as genes that respond to mitogens. The core domain of the SRF (core-SRF) binds as a dimer to the CArG box C-5C-4A-3T-2A-1T+1T+2A+3G+4G+5 of the c-fos serum response element (SREfos). However, previous studies using 20-mer DNAs have shown that the binding stoichiometry of core-SRF is significantly altered by mutations C-5-->G (SREGfos) and C-5C-4-->GG (SREGGfos) of the CArG box [A Huet, A Parlakian, M-C Arnaud, J-M Glandières, P Valat, S Fermandjian, D Paulin, B Alpert & C Zentz (2005) FEBS J272, 3105-3119]. To understand these effects, we carried out a comparative analysis of the three 20-mer DNAs SREfos, SREGfos and SREGGfos in aqueous solution. Their CD spectra were of the B-DNA type with small differences generated by variations in the mutual arrangement of the base pairs. Analysis by singular value decomposition of a set of Raman spectra recorded as a function of temperature, revealed a premelting transition associated with a conformational shift in the DNA double helices from a bent to a linear form. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy shows that the fluorescein reporter linked to the oligonucleotide 5'-ends experiences twisting motions of the double helices related to the interconversion between bent and linear conformers. The three SREs present various bent populations submitted, however, to particular internal dynamics, decisive for the mutual adjustment of binding partners and therefore specific complex formation.     

Left-handed Z-DNA helices in polymers, restriction fragments, and recombinant plasmids

Studies on DNA polymers, restriction fragments, and recombinant plasmids have revealed the following: A) A family of left-handed DNA conformations exists for (dC-dG)n.(dC-dG)n. The observation of a particular conformation is dependent on the salt, the salt concentration and dehydrating agent. B) In sodium acetate solutions, (dC-dG)n.(dC-dG)n forms left-handed, psi(+)-condensed structures as detected by Raman spectroscopy and circular dichroism. C) (dT-dG)n.(dC-dA)n undergoes a right-to-left-handed transition only when reacted with AAF and at high salt concentrations. D) Transitions observed for polymer DNAs also are observed for restriction fragments containing both (dC-dG).(dC-dG) and (dT-dG).(dC-dA) sequences, but the transitions in the fragments generally require higher salt concentrations than observed for the polymers. E) Studies with recombinant plasmids containing (dC-dG) sequences from 10 to 58 bp in length demonstrate that left-handed Z-DNA segments can exist contiguous to B-DNA segments. F) Negative supercoil density (sigma less than or equal to -0.072) is sufficient to convert the (dC-dG) regions in those plasmids into left-handed structures under physiological ionic conditions (200 mM NaCl). G) The favorable free energy contribution of methylation in stabilizing the Z form in fragments and plasmids is approximately offset by the unfavorable free energy contributions of the B/Z junctions. H) Sl and BAL 31 nucleases recognize aberrant structural features at the confluence of the B and Z regions. I) Detailed mapping of Sl nuclease cleavage on supercoiled plasmids shows that the nuclease sensitive regions extend over at least five to ten bp. J) Even though the (dT-dG)n.(dC-dA)n polymer requires base modification and high salt conditions to undergo the R----L transition, supercoiling (sigma less than or equal to -0.07) can supply enough energy to allow a plasmid containing the intervening sequence of a human fetal globin gene with (dT-dG).(dC-dA) sequences to undergo a R----L transition.     

DNA modified by platinum derivatives cannot adopt the A-form

DNA fragments from chicken erythrocytes were modified by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), its trans-isomer and chlorodiethylenetriaminoplatinum(II) chloride. The conformation of the modified DNA fragments in ethanolic solutions was studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Non-modified DNA adopted the A-form in 81% ethanol. The modification of DNA by the three platinum compounds inhibited the B to A transition of DNA induced by high concentrations of ethanol roughly to the same extent. The results support the view that the binding of the platinum complexes to B-DNA lowers the conformational freedom of DNA so that it cannot acquire the A-conformation.     

DNA of Epstein-Barr virus. IV. Linkage map of restriction enzyme fragments of the B95-8 and W91 strains of Epstein-Barr Virus.

The arrangement of EcoRI, Hsu I, and Sal I restriction enzyme sites in the DNA of the B95-8 and W91 isolates of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been determined from the size of the single-enzyme-cleaved fragments and from blot hybridizations that identify which fragments cut from the DNA with one enzyme contain nucleotide sequences in common with fragments cut from the DNA with a second enzyme. The DNA of the B95-8 isolate was the prototype for this study. The data indicate that (i) approximately 95 X 10(6) to 100 X 10(6) daltons of EBV (B95-8) DNA is in a consistent and unique sequence arrangement. (ii) Both termini are variable in length. One end of the molecule after Hsu I endonuclease cleavage consists of approximately 3,000 base pairs, with as many as 10 additional 500-base pair segments. The opposite end of the molecule after Sal I endonuclease cleavage consists of approximately 1,500 base pairs, with as many as 10 additional 500-base pair segments. (iii) The opposite ends of the molecule contain homologous sequences. The high degree of homology between the opposite ends of the molecule and the similarity in size of the "additional" 500-base pair segments suggests that there are identical repeating units at both ends of the DNA. The arrangement of restriction endonuclease fragments of the DNA of the W91 isolate of EBV is similar to that of the B95-8 isolate and differs from the latter in the presence of approximately 7 X 10(6) daltons of "extra" DNA at a single site. Thus, the size of almost all EcoRI, Hsu I, and Sal I fragments of EBV (W91) DNA is identical to that of fragments of EBV (B95-8) DNA. A single EcoRI fragment, C, of EBV (W91) DNA is approximately 7 X 10(6) daltons larger than the corresponding EcoRI fragment of EBV (B95-8) DNA. Digestion of EBV (W91) DNA with Hsu I or Sal I restriction endonucleases produces two fragments (Hsu I D1 and D2 or Sal I G2 and G3) which differ in total size by approximately 7 X 10(6) daltons from the fragments of EBV (B95-8) DNA. Furthermore, the EcoRI, Hsu I, and Sal I fragments of EBV (W91) and (B95-8) DNAs, which are of similar molecular weight, have homologous nucleotide sequences. Moreover, the W91 fragments contain only sequences from a single region of the B95-8 genome. Two lines of evidence indicate that the "extra" sequences present in W91 EcoRI fragment C are viral DNA and not cellular. (i) The molecular weight of the "enlarged" EcoRI C fragment of EBV (W91) DNA is identical to that of the EcoRI C fragment of another isolate of EBV (Jijoye), (ii) The HR-1 clone of Jijoye has previously been shown to contain DNA which is not present in the B95-8 strain but is present in the EcoRI C and Hsu I D2 and D1 fragments of EBV (W91) DNA (N. Raab-Traub, R. Pritchett, and E. Kieff, J. Virol. 27:388-398, 1978).     

Inverted repeat sequences can influence the melting transitions of linear DNAs

The influence of inverted repeat sequences on the melting transitions of linear DNAs has been examined. Derivative melting curves (DMC) of a 514 base pair (bp) DNA, seven subfragments of this DNA, and four other DNAs have been compared to predictions of DNA melting theory. The 514-bp DNA contains three inverted repeat sequences that can form cruciform structures in supercoiled DNA. We refer to these sequences as c-inverted repeats. Previous work showed that the DMC of this DNA, unlike a number of other DNAs, is not accurately predicted by DNA melting theory. Since the theoretical model does not include hairpin-like structures, it was suggested that hairpin or cruciform formation in these inverted repeats may be responsible for this discrepancy. Our results support this hypothesis. Predicted DMCs are in good agreement with DNAs with no inverted repeats, or inverted repeats not evident in supercoiled DNA. Differences between the theoretical and experimental Tm's are less than or equal to 0.3 degrees C. DNA molecules that contain one or more of the three c-inverted repeats are not as accurately predicted. Experimental Tm values are lower than predicted values by 0.7-3.8 degrees C. It is concluded that some inverted repeat sequences can form hairpin-like structures during the melting of linear DNAs. These structures appear to lower overall DNA stability.     

Epstein-Barr virus DNA. IX. Variation among viral DNAs from producer and nonproducer infected cells.

A comparative analysis of three Epstein-Barr virus DNAs from American patients with infectious mononucleosis (B95-8, Cherry, and Lamont) and four Epstein-Barr virus DNAs from African patients with Burkitt lymphoma (AG876, W91, Raji, and P3HR-1) indicated that the usual format of Epstein-Barr virus DNA includes a variable number of direct repeats of a 0.35 X 10(6)-dalton sequence (TR) at both ends of the DNA, a 9 X 10(6)-dalton sequence of largely unique DNA (Us), a variable number of repeats of a 2 X 10(6)-dalton sequence (IR), and a 89 X 10(6)-dalton sequence of largely unique DNA (UL). Within UL there was homology between DNA at 26 X 10(6) to 28 X 10(6) daltons and DNA at 93 X 10(6) to 95 X 10(6) daltons. The relative sequence order (TR, US, IR, UL, TR) did not vary among "standard" Epstein-Barr virus DNA molecules of each isolate. B95-8 DNA had an unusual deletion extending from 91 X 10(6) to 100 X 10(6) daltons, and P3HR-1 DNA had an unusual deletion extending from 23.5 X 10(6) to 26 X 10(6) daltons. There was sufficient variability among the EcoRI and BamHI fragments of the DNAs to identify each isolate specifically. However, we discerned no distinguishing features for the two geographic or pathogenic origins of the seven isolates. Three intracellular DNAs (Raji, Lamont, and Cherry) and one virion DNA (P3HR-1) were heterogenous in molecular organization and had subpopulations of rearranged or defective molecules. Some regions, particularly 59 X 10(6) to 63 X 10(6) daltons and sequences around TR, frequently participated in rearrangements. Restriction endonuclease maps of the standard and rearranged DNAs of the seven isolates are presented.