Energetic and Structural Inter-relationship Between DNA Supercoiling and the Right- to Left-handed Z Helix Transitions in Recombinant Plasmids

We have evaluated the B to Z conformational transitions in supercoiled recombinant plasmids containing different lengths of (dC-dG) described in the preceding paper. The sodium chloride-induced right- to left-handed transition in a small segment of the plasmids caused a relaxation of (-) supercoils which was monitored by electrophoretic mobility changes of individual topoisomers on agarose gels containing NaCl at concentrations up to 5.0 M. The number of supercoils relaxed was proportional to the length of the (dC-dG) segment in the plasmid in good agreement with theoretical values. A short B/Z junction region (less than 5 base pairs) was inferred. The stability of the Z conformation in (dC-dG) segments of the plasmids had a strong length dependency; shorter lengths were less stable. Ten base pairs of (dC-dG) was insufficient to allow a Z conformation under the conditions studied. Supercoiling imparts a substantial favorable free energy to the Z conformation, reducing the NaCl concentration necessary to cause the transition. The relationship of supercoiling with the NaCl concentration necessary to cause a B leads to Z transition suggests that supercoiling alone is sufficient to stabilize the Z conformation at physiological salt concentrations. These results support the notion that left-handed DNA has an important biological role.