Abrupt Transition from a Free, Repulsive to a Condensed, Attractive DNA Phase, Induced by Multivalent Polyamine Cations

Xiangyun Qiu, Kurt Andresen, Jessica S. Lamb, Lisa W. Kwok, and Lois Pollack
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 228101 – Published 26 November 2008
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Abstract

We have investigated the energetics of DNA condensation by multivalent polyamine cations. Solution small angle x-ray scattering was used to monitor interactions between short 25 base pair dsDNA strands in the free supernatant DNA phase that coexists with the condensed DNA phase. Interestingly, when tetravalent spermine is used, significant inter-DNA repulsion is observed in the free phase, in contrast with the presumed inter-DNA attraction in the coexisting condensed phase. DNA condensation thus appears to be a discrete, first-order-like, transition from a repulsive gaseous to an attractive condensed solid phase, in accord with the reported all-or-none condensation of giant DNA. We further quantify the electrostatic repulsive potentials in the free DNA phase and estimate the number of additional spermine cations that bind to DNA upon condensation.

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  • Received 3 June 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.228101

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Xiangyun Qiu, Kurt Andresen, Jessica S. Lamb, Lisa W. Kwok, and Lois Pollack

  • School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 22 — 28 November 2008

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