Abstract
The problem of the cause of compactization of double helical DNA macromolecules in polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution is considered. It is shown that the mechanism of compactization is based on the ousting of PEG coils from the globular DNA particle formed. The effective virial coefficient of interaction of the DNA monomers through the PEG chains is calculated. The effective θ-point of DNA is found from the concentration of PEG. A qualitative explanation is presented of the experimental dependence of the critical concentration of PEG corresponding to the start of compactization on the molecular weight of PEG. The absence of compactization of DNA in PEG of low-molecular weight is explained. A critical review of published theoretical work on the compactization of DNA is presented.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 422-428 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Biophysics |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - 1981 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics