Abstract
The influence of the interaction of double-stranded (ds) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with a mercury pool electrode (MPE) on the DNA double-helical structure was investigated after a 7-hour interaction of a solution of intact calf thymus DNA with MPE. on the other hand, the contact of DNA degraded by ultrasound- and gamma-radiation with MPE charged to potentials in the region from −0.2 to −0.8 V led to irreversible formation of singlestranded DNA. The presence of the single-stranded DNA in a solution that had been in contact with MPE for 70 min was detected by means of u.v. spectra in the presence as well as in the absence of formaldehyde and by means of differential pulse polarography. The interaction of non-degraded DNA with MPE was studied in the presence of formaldehyde, with an aim to detect eventual reversible changes in the DNA structure. From the dependence of the rate of the reaction of DNA with formaldehyde it followed that an opening of the double-concluded that besides relatively slow surface denaturation in a narrow region of potentials at about −1.2 V (against SCE) described earlier, a more rapid process took place in a broader range of potentials, the results of which were also changes in DNA conformation. These changes include an opening of the double helix and an easier exposition of the bases to the surrounding medium, but they are limited to only a very small part of a DNA molecule.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call