Scripps VIVO scripps research logo

  • Index
  • Log in
  • Home
  • People
  • Organizations
  • Research
  • Events
Search form

The structure of the Holliday junction, and its resolution

Academic Article
uri icon
  • Overview
  • Identity
  • Additional Document Info
  • View All
scroll to property group menus

Overview

authors

  • Duckett, Derek
  • Murchie, A. I. H.
  • Diekmann, S.
  • Vonkitzing, E.
  • Kemper, B.
  • Lilley, D. M. J.

publication date

  • October 1988

journal

  • Cell  Journal

abstract

  • The Holliday (four-way) junction is a critical intermediate in homologous genetic recombination. We have studied the structure of a series of four-way junctions, constructed by hybridization of four 80 nucleotide synthetic oligonucleotides. These molecules migrate anomalously slowly in gel electrophoresis. Each arm of any junction could be selectively shortened by cleavage at a unique restriction site, and we have studied the relative gel mobilities of species in which two arms were cleaved. The pattern of fragments observed argues strongly for a structure with two-fold symmetry, based on an X shape, the long arms of which are made from pairwise colinear association of helical arms. The choice of partners is governed by the base sequence at the junction, allowing a potential isomerization between equivalent structural forms. Resolvase enzymes can distinguish between these structures, and the resolution products are determined by the structure adopted, i.e., by the sequence at the junction. In the absence of cations, the helical arms of the junction are fully extended in a square configuration, and unstacking results in junction thymines becoming reactive to osmium tetroxide.

subject areas

  • Base Sequence
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Restriction Mapping
scroll to property group menus

Identity

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0092-8674

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/0092-8674(88)90011-6

PubMed ID

  • 3167979
scroll to property group menus

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 79

end page

  • 89

volume

  • 55

issue

  • 1

©2021 The Scripps Research Institute | Terms of Use | Powered by VIVO

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Support