Terminal differentiation and left-handed Z-DNA: A review

Abstract

Nucleic acids control the expression of genes, and different conformations of DNA structure may regulate cell death. Left-handed Z-DNA, which is speculated to function as a transcriptional enhancer, may be directly influenced by the destructive effects of terminal differentiation. The nicking-denaturation of double-stranded Z-DNA could possibly initiate and enhance terminal differentiation within specific tissues.