The Role of ions in the acid melting of DNA

✍ Scribed by E. Dore; C. Frontali; E. Gratton

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1972
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 529 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0006-3525
• DOI: 10.1002/bip.1972.360111004

✦ Synopsis

The use of a simple chemical equilibrium and of the law of mass action leads to correct prediction when applied to the study of the role of counterions in the process of acid melting of the DNA molecule. This approach allows an estimate to be given of the enthalpy variation per base pair associated with this process. Experiments have been carried out to test (a) the linearity of the dependence of pH, vs. 1/T; (b) the stabilizing effect of Na+ concentration. The enthalpy variation per base pair, deduced from the slope of the pH, vs. 1/T plot, and from the number of H + bound per base pair, is in agreement with direct measurement.6.8