Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

4.7K
Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
4.7K
Polymers02:34

Polymers

43.0K
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
43.0K
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

3.4K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
3.4K
Proofreading01:31

Proofreading

9.8K
Synthesis of new DNA molecules is carried out by the enzyme DNA polymerase, which adds nucleotides on the daughter strand complementary to the template DNA strand. DNA polymerase has a higher affinity to add the correct base and ensures fidelity during DNA replication. Furthermore,  it exhibits proofreading activity during replication, using an exonuclease domain that cuts off incorrect nucleotides from the nascent DNA strand.
Errors During Replication are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase...
9.8K
Proofreading01:43

Proofreading

62.0K
Overview
62.0K
Spontaneous and Induced Mutations01:30

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations

2.9K
Spontaneous mutations arise infrequently during DNA replication due to errors in the process. A key factor behind these errors is tautomeric shifts in nitrogenous bases, where bases transition from keto to enol forms or amino to imino forms. This shift can alter base-pairing rules, leading to mutations. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) arising from aerobic metabolism can damage DNA, resulting in depurination (loss of a purine base) or depyrimidination (loss of a pyrimidine base).
2.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same journal

TENSO: Software Package for Numerically Exact Open Quantum Dynamics Based on Efficient Tree Tensor Network Decomposition of the Hierarchical Equations of Motion.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026
Same journal

From Wave Function Sign Structure to Static Correlation.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026
Same journal

Statistical Mechanics of a 2D Material in a Gas Reservoir.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026
Same journal

Two-Photon Absorption of Quadrupolar Dyes: Performance of Density Functional Approximations.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026
Same journal

SGMSC: A New Software for Searching the Global-Minimum Structure of Surface-Supported Clusters by the Improved Basin Hopping Algorithm and Embedded Atom Potentials.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026
Same journal

Reactive Chemistry at the Unrestricted Coupled Cluster Level: High-Throughput Calculations for Training Machine Learning Potentials.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Preparation of DNA-crosslinked Polyacrylamide Hydrogels
09:06

Preparation of DNA-crosslinked Polyacrylamide Hydrogels

Published on: August 27, 2014

15.5K

Electrostatic Polymer Condensation and the A/B Polymorphism in DNA:  Sequence Effects.

Alexy K Mazur1

  • 1CNRS UPR9080, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 75005, France.

Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation
|December 8, 2015
PubMed
Summary

DNA polymorphism dynamics differ between poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly(dG).poly(dC) sequences. Poly(dG).poly(dC) readily transitions between B-DNA and A-DNA forms, unlike poly(dA).poly(dT), due to steric and electrostatic factors.

More Related Videos

DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
07:38

DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Published on: October 6, 2017

14.7K
Chemical Dimerization-Induced Protein Condensates on Telomeres
08:52

Chemical Dimerization-Induced Protein Condensates on Telomeres

Published on: April 12, 2021

3.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Preparation of DNA-crosslinked Polyacrylamide Hydrogels
09:06

Preparation of DNA-crosslinked Polyacrylamide Hydrogels

Published on: August 27, 2014

15.5K
DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
07:38

DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Published on: October 6, 2017

14.7K
Chemical Dimerization-Induced Protein Condensates on Telomeres
08:52

Chemical Dimerization-Induced Protein Condensates on Telomeres

Published on: April 12, 2021

3.7K

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Computational Chemistry

Background:

  • DNA exhibits polymorphism, existing in different structural forms like A-DNA and B-DNA.
  • Polypurine sequences, specifically poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly(dG).poly(dC), show distinct experimental behaviors.
  • Understanding the dynamics of A↔B transitions is crucial for DNA structure-function relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the dynamics of A↔B transitions in poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly(dG).poly(dC) using molecular dynamics simulations.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the contrasting polymorphic behaviors of these two DNA sequences.
  • To investigate the role of hydration, counterion distribution, and sequence-specific interactions in DNA A/B polymorphism.

Main Methods:

  • Free molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
  • Transitions were induced by manipulating the hydration level (water drop size) around the DNA.
  • Counterion distributions and steric interactions were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Poly(dG).poly(dC) exhibited smooth, reversible B↔A transitions under varying hydration.
  • Poly(dA).poly(dT) resisted B→A transitions, even at low hydration, due to thymine methyl group steric hindrance.
  • An intermediate hydration range showed opposite transitions: A→B in poly(dA).poly(dT) and B→A in poly(dG).poly(dC).
  • Distinct sodium ion distributions were observed, with accumulation in the major groove of poly(dG).poly(dC).
  • Modifying thymine methyl groups to hydrogens in poly(dA).poly(dT) facilitated reversible B↔A transitions.

Conclusions:

  • The B↔A transition mechanism in DNA is significantly influenced by sequence-specific electrostatic condensation and steric factors.
  • The steric hindrance of thymine methyl groups is a key determinant of poly(dA).poly(dT)'s resistance to the A-form.
  • Molecular dynamics simulations provide insights into DNA A/B polymorphism, aligning with experimental observations.