Compactization of DNA in dilute polymer solutions

A. Yu Grosberg, I. Ya Yerukhimovich, Ye I. Shakhnovich

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    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 languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)422-428
    Number of pages7
    JournalBiophysics
    Volume26
    Issue number3
    StatePublished - 1981

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biophysics

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