Z-DNA

1983, 34 3/8" x 15 1/8"

In this sketch, Geis illustrates the left handed Z-form of double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Z-DNA is indicated by the zig-zag like pattern of the two strands in relationship to each other. Geis shows a line of symmetry down the middle of the illustration highlighting the helix axis of the molecule.

Used with permission from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (www.hhmi.org). All rights reserved.

Non-commercial Reprint Request


Related PDB Entry: 2DCG

Experimental Structure Citation

Wang, AH, Quigley, GJ, Kolpak, FJ, Crawford, JL, van Boom, JH, van der Marel, G., & Rich, A. (1989). Molecular Structure Of A Left-Handed Double Helical Dna Fragment At Atomic Resolution. Nature, 282, 680-686. doi:10.2210/pdb2dcg/pdb

About Z-DNA

Z-DNA is a duplex structure, with the two strands of the molecule coiling in left-handed helices and a pronounced zig-zag pattern in the phosphorous backbone. Z-DNA can form more easily in an alternating purine-pyrimidine sequence , which is what leads to the zig-zag pattern.