Behavior of B- and Z-DNA Crystals under High Hydrostatic Pressure

Single crystals of B-DNA and Z-DNA oligomers were analyzed under high hydrostatic pressure and their behavior was compared to the A-DNA crystals already known. The amplitude of the base compression, when compared to the A-form of DNA (0.13 angstrom/GPa), was higher for the Z-DNA (0.32 angstrom/GPa) and was the highest for the B-DNA (0.42 angstrom/GPa). The B-DNA crystal degraded rapidly around 400-500 MPa, while the Z-structure was more resistant, up to 1.2 GPa.

Automated summary

Single crystals of B-DNA and Z-DNA oligomers were studied under high hydrostatic pressure and compared to A-DNA crystals. The amplitude of base compression was found to be higher for Z-DNA and highest for B-DNA. B-DNA crystals degraded rapidly around 400-500 MPa, while the Z-DNA structure showed greater resistance up to 1.2 GPa.