On the flexibility of the boundaries between the A-form and B-form sections in DNA molecule.
Nucleic Acids Res
; 5(7): 2657-63, 1978 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-673864
ABSTRACT
The degree of orientation of DNA in a flow has been studied within the interval of the B - A transition induced by ethanol. The orientation of the B DNA (60-65% ethanol, v/v) and that of the A DNA (80-82% ethanol) are nearly identical. This means that both conformations have similar persistence lengths and that there is no aggregation in the course of formation of the A form. Within the transition range (65-78% ethanol) the orientation attains a sharp minimum which coincides with the half-transition point (73% ethanol). The cooperative character of the B - A transition presupposes the existence of boundaries between the alternating sections of the A and B conformations that may entail an increased flexibility of the DNA molecule and a corresponding drop of orientation. Theory predicts an elliptical dependence of the number of boundaries on the proportion of the A form. The experimental degree of orientation follows the same pattern. Quantitative evaluation shows that the flexibility of a boundary is small, so that several dozen of boundaries are required to simulate free rotation.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
DNA
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Nucleic Acids Res
Year:
1978
Document type:
Article
Publication country:
ENGLAND
/
ESCOCIA
/
GB
/
GREAT BRITAIN
/
INGLATERRA
/
REINO UNIDO
/
SCOTLAND
/
UK
/
UNITED KINGDOM