Rich A
Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.
Gene. 1993 Dec 15;135(1-2):99-109. doi: 10.1016/0378-1119(93)90054-7.
Forty years ago, we learned of the major double helical structure adopted by DNA. It combined both elegance and simplicity in its design. Since then we have learned that DNA can also adopt other conformations. We now know that it can exist in a variety of triple-stranded and quadruple-stranded forms, as well as forms that are left-handed. The list of alternative conformations that can be adopted by this molecule is still growing. These conformations represent a major biological challenge to understand their role in biological systems. This type of work represents an active frontier in molecular biology today.
四十年前，我们了解到DNA所采用的主要双螺旋结构。其设计兼具优雅与简洁。从那时起，我们又了解到DNA还能呈现其他构象。如今我们知道它可以以多种三链和四链形式存在，以及左旋形式。这种分子能够采用的其他构象的种类仍在增加。理解这些构象在生物系统中的作用是一项重大的生物学挑战。这类研究代表了当今分子生物学的一个活跃前沿领域。
