[Effect of Mn2+ and Mg2+ ions on DNA conformation]

Mol Biol (Mosk). 1987 Jan-Feb;21(1):140-6.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

The DNA conformation was studied at different relation between Na+ and Me2+ (Mn2+ or Mg2+) ions in solution at the fixed total ionic strength mu. At low mu the intrinsic viscosity of DNA [eta] decreased to the limited fixed value with the increasing of Mn2+ or Mg2+ concentration (CMe2+). At higher mu greater than or equal to 0.1 M [eta] doesn't depend on CMe2+. The presence of Mn2+ in solution caused a decrease of the optical anisotropy of DNA and the value of epsilon 260 (p) independent on ionic strengths. In contrary, these parameters of DNA didn't change in solution with Mg2+-concentration. The observed differences in the effects of Mn2+ and Mg2+ on the optical properties of the macromolecule suggest that there are different modes of binding of these ions to DNA. It has been concluded, that Mn2+ interacts with bases and phosphate groups of DNA, but Mg2+--only with phosphates. The persistence length of DNA doesn't depend on Me2+ concentration under the conditions of the experiment (mu greater than or equal to 0.005 M).

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • DNA / drug effects*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Magnesium / pharmacology*
  • Manganese / pharmacology*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation / drug effects*
  • Solutions
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Solutions
  • Manganese
  • DNA
  • Magnesium