A novel unusual DNA structure formed in an inverted repeat sequence.

A potential to form a non-cruciform unusual DNA structure was shown at the inverted repeat DNA sequence of a fish satellite DNA. The recombinant plasmid harboring a member of the EcoRI satellite family of Sillago japonica (Percoidei, Sillaginidae) was subjected to S1 nuclease treatment, and the cutting sites were mapped by primer extension assay. The S1 nuclease attacked the 3'-half of the inverted repeat but not the middle part of symmetry under various salt conditions, suggesting that this unusual DNA structure is different from the DNA cruciform and a conventional intramolecular triplex structure. In the presence of 200 mM potassium chloride, the typical DNA cruciform has extruded, suggesting that certain purine-purine-pyrimidine base triads are involved in the formation of this unusual DNA structure. These results support the occurrence of a novel unusual DNA structure formed in the inverted repeat sequence.