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Related Experiment Videos

Stretching of single collapsed DNA molecules.

C G Baumann1, V A Bloomfield, S B Smith

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.

Biophysical Journal
|March 29, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Trivalent cations like spermidine and hexaammine cobalt(III) alter DNA elasticity and condensation. These cations induce DNA unpacking and intramolecular attractions, influencing DNA

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Polymer Physics

Background:

  • DNA condensation is crucial for cellular processes.
  • Understanding DNA elasticity under multivalent ion conditions is key.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the elastic response of single DNA molecules under condensing conditions.
  • To characterize DNA behavior during condensation induced by trivalent cations.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized optical tweezers to probe single plasmid and lambda phage DNA molecules.
  • Applied varying concentrations of spermidine and hexaammine cobalt(III) (CoHex).

Main Results:

  • Observed decreased persistence length with increasing spermidine concentration.

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  • Identified distinct behaviors (stick-release, plateau) during stretching of condensed DNA.
  • Quantified intramolecular attraction (0.083-0.33 kT/bp) and its dependence on cation type.
  • Found CoHex induces stronger attraction than spermidine.

    • Conclusions:

    • Trivalent cations significantly alter DNA elasticity and induce condensation.
    • DNA condensation involves unpacking from coiled structures and intramolecular attractions.
    • The transition to condensation is dependent on DNA extension and cation properties.