Force-induced structural transitions in cross-linked DNA films
Force-induced structural transitions in cross-linked DNA films
André, A.; Fontaine-Vive, F.; Möller, H. M.; Fischer, T.; Maret, G.; Forsyth, V. T.; Gisler, T.
We report on the preparation and characterization of wet-spun films of sodium DNA in which intermolecular cross-links were introduced following formaldehyde treatment. Raman scattering shows that the DNA in moderately cross-linked films is mainly in th B conformation. Stretching experiments show a transition from plastic to elastomeric behavior with increasing exposure to the cross-linking agent. Elastomeric DNA films are strongly disordered.X-ray diffraction shows that stretching of moderately cross-linked film under controlled high humidity conditions results in increased molecular orientation as well as the appearance of meridional reflections at 7.4-7.8 and 8.2 A. These reflections are not observed for any of the calssical conformations associated with mixed sequence DNA, and may arise from extended base-pair stacking in a stretched DNA structure.
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European Biophysics Journal 37(2008), 749-757
DOI: 10.1007/s00249-008-0257-4
Cited 3 times in Scopus
Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-11831