Advancements in Z-DNA: development of inducers and stabilizers for B to Z transition

Z-DNA, an active element in genome, has drawn intense interest in chemical and biological field. Its dynamic and transient state makes it challenging to target and regulate. Thus, stabilizing and inducing Z-DNA both in vitro and in vivo is essential, so far, much many efforts have been made in these aspects. However, Z-DNA's induction and stabilization are always performed in high salt condition and sequence-dependent, limited inducers or stabilizers have been achieved with breakthrough in the aspects of real physiological condition and sequence-independence. Herein, we give a review of some typical kinds of Z-DNA inducers and stabilizers, discussing their inducing or stabilizing condition, mechanism, structural relationship and their limitation as well, attempted to get some implication and guidance for Z-DNA inducer or stabilizer design.