major groove

ma·jor groove

in a detailed analysis of DNA structure, there are two types of grooves that can be seen; the major groove has the nitrogen and oxygen atoms of the base pairs pointing inward toward the helical axis, whereas in the minor groove, the nitrogen and oxygen atoms point outwards; important because the major groove is more dependent on base composition and may be the site for protein recognition of specific DNA sequences or regions.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

major groove

A deep and wide furrow present in classic (Watson and Crick) DNA, which extends over the entire length of DNA, as long as the molecule remains in a normal or right-handed configuration; for the usual B-DNA, the major groove is 22-nm wide.

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References in periodicals archive ?

The authors suggested that when the alpha-helix CPP is tilted, it can fit into the major groove of the dsRNA via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions [27-29].

When inspecting the orientation and placement of the cationic CPP on the siRNA (in both A- and B-forms), in all considered cases the initial CPP complexation occurs at the major groove of the siRNA (see Figures 5A1 and 5B1).

Initially the hydrophobic peptides were predicted to bind to either the major groove or the minor groove.

(1) Initially electrostatic and shape complementarity drive the binding of cell penetrating peptides into the major groove of siRNA, where the maximum salt bridges may be formed.

The main reason that can be identified is the shape of the major groove of siRNA.

Sundaralingam, "Protein-nucleic acid interaction: major groove recognition determinants," in Encyclopedia of Life Sciences, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, UK, 2001.

Trends in the Binding of Cell Penetrating Peptides to siRNA: A Molecular Docking Study

The compound [Fe2L3]4+ is an iron triple helicate with three organic strands wrapped around two iron centres to give a helix which looks cylindrical in shape and neatly fits within the major groove of a DNA helix.

The high positive charge of the compound enhances its ability to bind to DNA, which is negatively charged, and when the iron-helicate binds to the major groove of DNA, it coils the DNA so that it is no longer available to bind to anything else and is not able to drive biological or chemical processes.

New DNA binding compound could pave way for novel antibiotics

Prior to this discovery, most cancer drugs have targeted binding to the major groove in DNA leading to the successful introduction of several new classes of anticancer drugs, including topoisomerase inhibitors such as camptothecins and anthracyclines.

Cell Therapeutics announces agreement to acquire Systems Medicine and Gains Global Rights to Brostallicin, a new cancer killing agent

But even though he trails the Goose by six shots Tiger Woods is back in the Major groove again after winning the Masters at Augusta in April.

GOLF: US OPEN: Tiger out to cook the Goose

"They managed to produce a synthetic molecule which is big enough to bind with the major groove of the DNA where most of the action is.

DNA weapon in genetic illness; WARWICK UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CHEMISTS MAKE BREAKTHROUGH