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Notes: Abstract The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of flow-oriented complexes of DNA with proflavine (PF), ethidium (ET) and distamycine (DS) have been studied in the ultraviolet region. The CD spectra with light propagating in parallel to the flow direction were measured by the method of Chung and Holzwarth [1]. Δ∈∥ and Δ∈⊥ values have been obtained by this method. It was shown that all the complexes studied exhibit a strong CD anisotropy so that ‘isotropic’ CD spectra measured with a conventional procedure can be attributed to the mutual compensation of the two components of opposite signs.

Notes: This survey covers the following topics: (1) Theoretical calculation of the total multitude of the energetically permitted regular DNA helices. (2) Theoretical study of flexibility of the double helix with emphasis on nucleosome structure. (3) Experimental data on the properties of the B to A transition of DNA in solution: the degree of cooperativity and influence of sequence. (4) The B-A transition and its possible role in genes activation.

Notes: The addition of reducing agents, i.e., ascorbic acid or sodium borohydride, to a DNA solution containing Cu2+ ions causes changes in the DNA absorption spectra which are due to a new absorption band with a maximum at 280 mμ assigned to a DNA base-Cu1+ complex. The stoichiometry of the complex is one Cu1+ ion per four bases of DNA. The DNA-Cu1+ complex has an increased melting temperature and rather different circular dichroism curve as compared with DNA itself. It is inferred that the above effects are caused by proton transfer along the hydrogen bond from guanine to cytosine under complexing of Cu1+ ions with the N7 atom of the guanine of DNA.

Notes: Based on equilibrium binding studies, as well as on kinetic investigations, two types of interactions of Cu2+ ions with native DNA at low ionic strength could be characterized, namely, a nondenaturing and a denaturing complex formation. During a fast nondenaturing complex formation at low relative ligand concentrations and at low temperatures, different binding sites at the DNA bases become occupied by the metal ions. This type of interaction includes chelate formation of Cu2+ ions with atoms N(7) of purine bases and the oxygens of the corresponding phosphate groups, chelation between atoms N(7) and O of C(6) of the guanine bases, as well as the formation of specific intestrand crosslink complexes at adjacent G°C pairs of the sequence dGpC. CD spectra of the resulting nondenatured complex (DNA-Cu2+)nat may be interpreted in terms of a conformational change of DNA from the B-form to a C-like form on ligand binding. A slow cooperative denaturing complex formation occurs at increased copper concentrations and/or at increased temperatures. The uv absorption and CD spectra of the resulting complex, (DNA-Cu2+)denat, indicate DNA denaturation during this type of interaction. Such a conclusion is confirmed by microcalorimetric measurements, which show that the reaction consumes nearly the same amount of heat as acid denaturation of DNA.From these and the kinetic results, the following mechanism for the denaturing action of the ligands is suggested: binding of Cu2+ ions to atoms N(3) of the cytosine bases takes place when the cytosines come to the outside of the double helix as a result of statistical fluctuations. After the completion of the binding process, the bases cannot return to their initial positions, and thus local denaturation at the G·C pairs is brought about. The probability of the necessary fluctuations occurring is increased by chelation of Cu2+ ions between atoms N(7) and O of C(6) of the guanine bases during nondenaturing complex formation, which loosens one of the hydrogen bonds within the G·C pairs, as well as by raising the temperature. The implications of the new binding model, which comprises both the sequence-specific interstand crosslinks and the described mechanism of denaturing complex formation, are discussed and some predictions are made. The model is also used to explain the different renaturation properties of the denatured complexes of Cu2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ ions with DNA.In temperature-jump experiments with the nondenatured complex (DNA-Cu2+)nat, a specific kinetic effect is observed, namely, the appearance of a lag in the response to the perturbation. The resulting sigmoidal shape of the kinetic curves is considered to be a consequence of the necessity of disrupting a certain number of the crosslinks existing in the nondenatured complex before the local unwinding of the binding regions (a main step of denaturing complex formation) may proceed.

Notes: Conformation of two-stranded DNA in H2O-methanol, H2O-ethanol, H2O-isopropanol, and H2O-dioxane solutions at different concentrations of alkaline ions has been studied with the aid of circular dichroism. The following conclusions are drawn:The conformation of DNA in H2O and H2O-methanol belongs to a family of B forms (B, C, T forms are the representatives of the family). The magnitude of the winding angle between adjacent base pairs (θ) is determined by the concentration and type of the cations. In H2O the cation action is nonspecific and leads to an increase in θ value. In 80% methanol the ions act specifically, Cs+ being to stabilize a form with a greater θ value, and Li+ being with a lesser one. The total θ change is likely within the limits of 33° ≤ θ ≤ 45°.At high content of ethanol, isopropanol, or dioxane (∼80%), but not with methanol, and in low ionic strength the conformation of DNA belongs to a family of A forms (A form is one of the members of the family) and is specified by the concentration and type of cation involved. The two-stranded regions of RNA in H2O are also of A type and winds with the rise of cation concentration. The range of θ variation is not narrower than 30° ≤ θ 33°.The conformational transitions within the families (induced by ions) are of non-cooperative pattern, wheras the transitions between the families (induced by nonpolar component) are of cooperative pattern. The effect of cations, when specific, is discussed on the basis of steric correspondence between the width of DNA narrow groove and the size of a hydrated cation.