Moderation of structural DNA properties by coupled dinucleotide contents in eukaryotes

Dinucleotides are known as determinants for various structural and physiochemical properties of DNA and for binding affinities of proteins to DNA. These properties (e.g., stiffness) and bound proteins (e.g., transcription factors) are known to influence important biological functions, such as transc...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sievers, Aaron (Author) , Sauer, Liane (Author) , Bisch, Marc (Author) , Sprengel, Jan (Author) , Hausmann, Michael (Author) , Hildenbrand, Georg Lars (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 20 March 2023
In: Genes
Year: 2023, Volume: 14, Issue: 3, Pages: 1-18
ISSN:2073-4425
DOI:10.3390/genes14030755
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030755
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/3/755
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Author Notes:Aaron Sievers, Liane Sauer, Marc Bisch, Jan Sprengel, Michael Hausmann and Georg Hildenbrand
Description
Summary:Dinucleotides are known as determinants for various structural and physiochemical properties of DNA and for binding affinities of proteins to DNA. These properties (e.g., stiffness) and bound proteins (e.g., transcription factors) are known to influence important biological functions, such as transcription regulation and 3D chromatin organization. Accordingly, the question arises of how the considerable variations in dinucleotide contents of eukaryotic chromosomes could still provide consistent DNA properties resulting in similar functions and 3D conformations. In this work, we investigate the hypothesis that coupled dinucleotide contents influence DNA properties in opposite directions to moderate each other’s influences. Analyzing all 2478 chromosomes of 155 eukaryotic species, considering bias from coding sequences and enhancers, we found sets of correlated and anti-correlated dinucleotide contents. Using computational models, we estimated changes of DNA properties resulting from this coupling. We found that especially pure A/T dinucleotides (AA, TT, AT, TA), known to influence histone positioning and AC/GT contents, are relevant moderators and that, e.g., the Roll property, which is known to influence histone affinity of DNA, is preferably moderated. We conclude that dinucleotide contents might indirectly influence transcription and chromatin 3D conformation, via regulation of histone occupancy and/or other mechanisms.
Item Description:Gesehen am 20.04.2023
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:2073-4425
DOI:10.3390/genes14030755