Question

How does the major groove encode information about the base pair sequence of DNA?

Please explain throughly, I will rate well for an informative answer!

Answer 1

Major and minor groove are formed on the DNA double helix.In the DNA double helix strand backbone are far apart in some places giving rise to major groove . In other places the strand backbones are close together and form minor groove .

Certain proteins bind to DNA alter its structure or to regulate transcription or replication .It is easier for these DNA binding proteins to bind on the major groove side because backbone does not hinder their binding . Sequence specific DNA binding proteins interact with the major groove of B-DNA because it exposes more functional groups that identify a base pair .

The DNA binding proteins include transcription factors which modulate the processes of transcription , various polymerases, nucleases  which cleave the DNA molecule and histones which are involved in the chromosome packaging and the and transcription in the cell nucleus .