Published April 2006 | Version v1
Journal article

Orientations of water molecules surrounding B-DNA observed by neutron crystallographic analysis

  • 1. Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Quantum Beam Science Directorate, Tokai, Ibaraki (Japan)
  • 2. Chiba Inst. of Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Choshi, Chiba (JP)
  • 3. Ibaraki Univ., Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Inst. of Applied Beam Science, Hitachi, Ibaraki (JP)

Description

By neutron diffraction measurements of B-DNA duplex, we have succeeded in determining the D positions in 27 D2O molecules. Moreover, the complex water network in the minor groove has been observed in detail. By a combined structural analysis using X-ray and neutron data, it is clear that the spine of hydration is built up, not only by a simple hexagonal hydration pattern, but also by many other water bridges hydrogen-bonded to the DNA strands. The complexity of the hydration pattern in the minor groove is derived from an extraordinary variety of orientations displayed by the water molecules. (author)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Nippon Kessho Gakkai-Shi
Journal Volume
48
Journal Issue
2
Journal Page Range
p. 133-139
ISSN
0369-4585

Optional Information

Notes
35 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.