C12H16N6O6

C12H16N6O6 is the molecular formula for guanine cytosine dimer. This is a chemical compound formed when two guanine and cytosine bases pair up in DNA. Guanine and cytosine are two of the four nucleotide bases found in DNA, along with adenine and thymine. They are connected by hydrogen bonds, with guanine forming three hydrogen bonds with cytosine. This pairing is essential for maintaining the double helix structure of DNA and for accurate DNA replication and transcription.

The guanine cytosine dimer is not a stable entity in isolation but rather a specific arrangement within a larger nucleic acid. Its formation and stability are governed by the principles of base pairing in DNA. Errors in the formation or maintenance of these dimers can lead to mutations, which are changes in the DNA sequence. Such mutations can have various consequences, ranging from no observable effect to significant health issues. Understanding the properties and behavior of guanine cytosine dimers is fundamental to molecular biology and genetics, providing insights into the mechanisms of heredity and disease.