Fluorescence energy transfer shows that the four-way DNA junction is a right-handed cross of antiparallel molecules

摘要: THE four-way junction between DNA helices is the central intermediate in recombination1–10, and manner of its interaction with resolvase enzymes can determine genetic outcome process. A knowledge structure a prerequisite to understanding proteins, there has been recent progress11–14. Here we use fluorescence energy transfer relative distances ends small junction, hence path strands. Our results are consistent geometry an 'X'. The interconnected juxtaposed so that continuous strands each helix generate antiparallel alignment, two interchanged do not cross at centre. acute angle X defined by right-handed rotation helical axes about axis perpendicular plane, as viewed from centre X.