DNA sequences involved in yeast tightly bound DNA–protein complexes

Abstract

A computer nucleotide sequence analysis of fourteen of DNA fragments involved in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae tightly bound DNA–protein complexes shows that these sequences are heterogeneous, but have some motifs common to all of them: topoisomerase II binding sites, short A+Trich stretches, kinked DNA streches. These sequences are rich in transcription factor binding sites and origin of replication sites. DNA fragment localization sites in the genome are different. There are neither telomeric nor centromeric sequences. Our results show that the study sequences have some characteristic of S / MAR sequences and may be important for DNA structurization and for the regulation of gene expression and DNA replication. Keywords: chromosomal DNA loops, nuclear matrix DNA, S/MAR sequences