[Polarity of the environment as a factor determining DNA conformation]

Polarity of double and ternary water-nonelectrolyte systems at the component ratio, corresponding to a half-transition point of DNA from B to A form was evaluated from ESR spectra of a spin-probe. In all cases examined the isotropic super-fine splitting constant (aN) is the same with an accuracy of 0.05 gauss. Small differences in aN are well correlated with the concentration of the groups which are able to form hydrogen bonds with the nitroxide fragment of the radical. Thus, media polarity is a factor which determines the A--B equilibrium of DNA in solution.