[On DNA compaction in diluted polymeric solutions]

Causes of compactization of double helical molecule of DNA in polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution are considered. The compactization mechanism is shown to be based on the displacement of PEG coil from the initiated globular DNA particle. An efficient virial coefficient of the interaction between DNA monomers through PEG chains is calculated. An efficient theta-point is found from PEG concentration. The experimental relationship between PEG critical concentration responding to the onset of compactization and PEG molecular weight is analysed. The absence of DNA compactization and PEG molecular weight is analysed. The absence of DNA compactization with PEG of low molecular weight is explained. Theoretical works on DNA compactization are reviewed.