DNA is a dynamic molecule, the conformation of which plays a major role in
biological function. The non-B-form of DNA conformations are reported in the patho-physiology of diseases like
Fragile X-syndrome,
Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's and others. Recently, our laboratory discovered the presence of
Z-DNA in the hippocampal region of severely affected
Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain samples. Alternate
purine-
pyrimidine bases, potential sequences adopting
Z-DNA, are present in the promoter regions of AD specific genes like
amyloid precursor
protein (APP),
Presenilin and
ApoE. Thus,
Z-DNA might be involved in the expression of these pathologically important genes. In the present review, we have focused on the possible mechanisms/hypothetical models of
Z-DNA transition and its implications in AD. We propose that
Z-DNA is formed in the promoter region of the APP, and
Presenilin genes and
Z-DNA may absorb the negative supercoils at that region. This decreases the supercoil density, altering the domain's native supercoiling state and facilitates the binding of effectors, which positively regulate gene expression of AD-related genes like APP and
Presenilin. Further, it is presumed that
Z-DNA may be involved in the down regulation of genes involved in Abeta clearance,
anti-oxidant and defense mechanisms in AD. The proposed working model is novel and reveals possible triggering factors or precursors, which regulate the modulation of the supercoiling level of
DNA involving putative
Z-DNA forming sequences and regulatory
proteins binding to
DNA in AD.