A possible conformation for double-stranded polynucleotides.

Abstract
A model is presented for double-stranded polynucleotides which involves side-by-side meshing of the 2 strands rather than double helical intertwining. The sugar-phosphate backbone has a twisted strip-like character, yet base-pairing of the Watson-Crick type is still possible. Structural features of the basic model are described, and coordinates are presented for a representative example. The structure has reasonable stereochemical contacts and can be shown to produce a fiber diffraction pattern with x-rays not unlike that of the B form of DNA.