You have been introduced to the importance of regions of DNA that are in the Z conformation. Different environmental factors appear to “flip-on” DNA regions: converting B-DNA to Z-DNA. This can result in changes in gene expression used by the cell to activate immune responses and control responses to cellular stresses and viral infections. Aberrant action of these mechanisms also appear in important in cancer, Alzheimer’s and immune disorders. A brief review paper, “Z-DNA

the new biology,” details some interesting information on this system. Your assignment is to read the paper (will post below) and write a report in which you:
? Part I. Briefly review the major themes of the paper:
o What are “flipons”? What triggers them?
o What is ADAR? What functions do these proteins have in activation of immune
responses? Increasing protein diversity?
o How is Z-DNA/ADAR important in development of cancer? (Would ADAR
function as an oncogene or tumor suppressor?
o How is Z-DNA/ADAR important in cellular response to DNA damage?
o What genetic diseases are associated with Z-DNA/ADAR dysfunction?
o How is Z-DNA/ADAR important in cellular response to viral infection?
? Part 2. Choose one topic covered in the paper and do some research to elaborate some on the
topic (e.g. Z-DNA flipon’s role in cancer; Z-DNA flipon’s role in Alzheimer’s;Z-DNA and
immune response to viral infections..etc). You should include at least one references.
? Part 3. A paragraph or so in which you “think”, expand on what you have read, and propose
possible therapeutics (or other applications) of your chosen topic (e.g use of Z-DNA
inhibitors in treatment of cancer…etc.