Unique structures formed by pyrimidine-purine DNAs which may be four-stranded.

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Abstract
Pyrimidine.cntdot.purine DNAs with repeating sequences can be made to undergo a reversible transition to possibly a tetra-stranded complex. Physicochemical characterization of the new structures and model building are consistent with, in the case of d(TC)n.cntdot.d(GA)n, a tetra-stranded complex forming by the addition of d(GA)n to the remaining space in the major groove of the triple-stranded complex d(TC)n.cntdot.d(GA)n.cntdot.d(CT)n. A possible role for tetra-stranded complexes in chromosome condensation is suggested by the natural occurrence of repeating sequence pyrimidine.cntdot.purine DNAs and the properties of condensed chromosomes.