ISSN:
0006-3525
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
The conformational response of calf thymus DNA to solvent conditions altered by varying amounts of ethanol and NaCl has been monitored by circular dichroism (CD). These measurements, which extend over a much greater range of conditions than previously examined, reveal (above critical concentrations of ethanol and salt) a condensed form of the macro-molecule with unusually large positive ellipticity in the 250-300-nm region [the Ψ(+) state]. Mere increase in NaCl concentration at constant 35% (v/v) concentration of ethanol suffices to convert such Ψ(+) samples - via a series of intermediate forms with CD spectra resembling those of A-DNA, then B-DNA - into Ψ(-) states having anomalously large negative ellipticity similar to the well-known Ψ(-) forms produced by above-critical concentrations of poly-(ethylene oxide) and salt. These ethanol/salt-induced transitions are all completely reversible and can occur without formation of any visible precipitates. We suggest that they represent predominantly tertiary structural changes of B-form DNA molecules analogous to the changes which occur in several other systems where Ψ(+) ⇌ Ψ(-) interconversion has been reported. A “skein-of-yarn” model for the condensed tertiary (and quaternary, i.e., aggregated) state of the DNA affords one possible explanation for the inversions of ellipticity in all these cases. Such a model accords well with the accepted description of cholesteric liquid crystals.
Additional Material:
7 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bip.1981.360201205
