Probing biopolymer conformation by metallization with noble metals

Abstract

We propose a novel method for the simple visual (colorimetric) and spectroscopicmonitoring of the conformational state of a biopolymer. We present an experimentalexample of the detection of the change in the conformation of a giant DNA molecule. Thismethodology is based on the difference in the manner of metallization with noble metals ona polymer scaffold depending on its conformation. Spectroscopic analysis of themetallization of DNA by metallic silver or gold provides information on the criticalconcentration of DNA binder, at which the folding transition from the elongated into thecompact state occurs, together with the dimension and morphology of a compact DNAcondensate. This method may be suitable for use in a rapid screening procedure forthe high-throughput analysis of large chemical libraries to evaluate their abilityto induce DNA compaction, protein folding and similar important processes.