ArticleNucleic acids research2026
Structural basis of B-to-Z DNA transition mediated by an anti-Z-DNA antibody.
Article in Nucleic acids research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Imaging nucleic acids in biofilms.Essays in biochemistry · 2026Review
- Cryo-EM structures of anti Z-DNA antibodies in complex with antigen reveal distinct recognition modes of a left-handed geometry.Nucleic acids research · 2026Article
- Alternative nucleic acid structures in microbial biology: regulatory functions and antimicrobial opportunities.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Z-DNA is a left-handed double-helical form of DNA that plays roles in transcription, immune responses, viral infection, bacterial biofilm formation, and autoimmune diseases. Despite its importance, the instability of Z-DNA under physiological conditions has hindered detailed structural and functional investigations. Moreover, although antibodies are known to recognize nucleic acids, the mechanisms underlying their detection and stabilization of dynamic DNA under biological conditions remain unclear. This study provides the first atomic-level structural insights into antibody-mediated B-to-Z DNA transition. Accordingly, a Z-DNA-specific chimeric Fab fragment of Z22 (cZ22-Fab) was designed and characterized using multiple biophysical approaches. cZ22-Fab mediates a concentration-dependent B-to-Z conformational transition in CG-repeat DNA, establishing a stable 2:1 Fab/DNA stoichiometry. Crystal structure of cZ22-Fab/Z-DNA complexes revealed a left-handed DNA backbone-tracking recognition mode, in which cZ22-Fab recognizes Z-DNA conformation through phosphate-clamping and base interactions. Notably, a 5'-end C-hanging Z-DNA duplex structure formed by dC(GC)3 and stabilized by cZ22-Fab was observed. Structure-guided mutagenesis demonstrated that heavy chain residues R50 and Y106 are critical for Z-DNA binding, and analyses of additional Z-DNA-forming sequences further elucidated the binding characteristics. Overall, this work provides molecular insights into the mechanism of antibody-mediated Z-DNA formation and stabilization, highlighting its therapeutic relevance and implications for autoimmunity.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.