Compactization of Chromosomal Loci in Eukaryotic Genes:
Triplex DNA Structures (A Model)

M. V. Glazkov

Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117809 Russia

Received March 20, 1998

Abstract—Involvement of polypurine and polypyrimidine nucleotide sequences of DNA in compactization of
gene chromosomal domains was analyzed. Tracts (10 bp or longer) of purines and pyrimidines potentially able
to interact forming triplex structures (“structurizing regions” of chromosomal domains of the genes) were found
in introns and at the flanks of three animal and two plant genes. If DNA-DNA interactions are the same in vivo,
the chromosomal loci of eukaryotic genes could be compacted in several small loops. These interactions within
a small region should result in formation of rosette-like structures. Clustering of the “structurizing regions” in
chromosomal loci of the genes may be of functional importance.

Key words: DNA triplexes, chromosomal domains of the genes, chromosome compactization, rosette-like
structures

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