Packing features of the all-AT oligonucleotide d(AAATTT)

We describe the packing features of the oligonucleotide duplex d(AAATTT)2, as determined by X-ray diffraction. There is little information on sequences that only contain A and T bases. The present structure confirms that these sequences tend to pack as a helical arrangement of stacked oligonucleotides in a B conformation with Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding. Our results demonstrate that the virtual TA base step between stacked duplexes has a negative twist that improves base stacking. This observation is consistent with the low stability of TA base steps in B-form DNA.