Double helix
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In geometry a double helix (plural helices) typically consists of two congruent helices with the same axis, differing by a translation along the axis, which may or may not be half-way.[1]
In molecular biology, the double helix refers to the structure of DNA. The double-helix model of DNA structure was first published in the journal Nature by James D. Watson and Francis Crick in 1953[2], based upon the crucial X-ray diffraction image of DNA (labeled as "Photo 51") from Rosalind Franklin in 1952 [3], followed by her more clarified DNA image with Raymond Gosling[4][5], Maurice Wilkins, Alexander Stokes and Herbert Wilson[6], as well as base-pairing chemical and biochemical information by Erwin Chargaff[7][8][9][10][11][12].
Crick, Wilkins and Watson each received one third of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their contributions to the discovery[13]. Franklin who's breakthrough data was used to formulate the DNA structure, died in 1958, a Nobel Prize is not awarded posthumously thus she wasn't eligible for nomination.
The DNA double helix is a right-handed spiral polymer of nucleic acids, held together by nucleotides which base pair together[14]. A single turn of the helix constitutes ten nucleotides[14]. The double helix structure of DNA contains a major groove and minor groove, the major groove being wider than the minor groove[14]. Given the difference in widths of the major groove and minor groove, many proteins which bind to DNA do so through the wider major groove [15].
The order, or sequence, of the nucleotides in the double helix within a gene specifies the primary structure of a protein.
The term entered popular culture with the publication in 1968 of The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA, by James Watson.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Double Helix" by Sándor Kabai, The Wolfram Demonstrations Project, 2007.
- ^ James D. Watson and Francis Crick (1953). "A structure for deoxyribose nucleic acid". Nature 171: 737–8. doi:. http://www.nature.com/nature/dna50/watsoncrick.pdf.
- ^ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/photo51/
- ^ http://www.nature.com/nature/dna50/franklingosling.pdf
- ^ The Structure of the DNA Molecule
- ^ Wilkins M.H.F., A.R. Stokes A.R. & Wilson, H.R. (1953). "Molecular Structure of Deoxypentose Nucleic Acids" (PDF). Nature 171: 738–740. doi:. PMID 13054693. http://www.nature.com/nature/dna50/wilkins.pdf.
- ^ Elson D, Chargaff E (1952). "On the deoxyribonucleic acid content of sea urchin gametes". Experientia 8 (4): 143-145.
- ^ Chargaff E, Lipshitz R, Green C (1952). "Composition of the deoxypentose nucleic acids of four genera of sea-urchin". J Biol Chem 195 (1): 155-160. PMID 14938364.
- ^ Chargaff E, Lipshitz R, Green C, Hodes ME (1951). "The composition of the deoxyribonucleic acid of salmon sperm". J Biol Chem 192 (1): 223-230. PMID 14917668.
- ^ Chargaff E (1951). "Some recent studies on the composition and structure of nucleic acids". J Cell Physiol Suppl 38 (Suppl).
- ^ Magasanik B, Vischer E, Doniger R, Elson D, Chargaff E (1950). "The separation and estimation of ribonucleotides in minute quantities". J Biol Chem 186 (1): 37-50. PMID 14778802.
- ^ Chargaff E (1950). "Chemical specificity of nucleic acids and mechanism of their enzymatic degradation". Experientia 6 (6): 201-209.
- ^ "Nobel Prize - List of All Nobel Laureates". http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/lists/all/.
- ^ a b c Alberts et al. (1994). The Molecular Biology of the Cell. New York: Garland Science. ISBN 978-0815341055.
- ^ Pabo C, Sauer R (1984). "Protein-DNA recognition". Annu Rev Biochem 53: 293–321. doi:. PMID 6236744.
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