DNA bending at adenine . thymine tracts.

Intrinsic bending of DNA molecules results from local structural polymorphism in regions of homopolymeric dA . dT which are at least 4 base pairs long; the A . T tracts must be repeated in phase with the helix screw. Bending, in the direction of base-pair tilt rather than roll, occurs at the junctions between the A . T tract and adjacent B-DNA, with a larger angle at the 3' than at the 5' end of the A tract.