Open AccessForce-induced structural transitions in cross-linked DNA films
Author(s) -
Andre Antoine,
Fabien FontaineVive,
Heiko M. Möller,
Tim Fischer,
G. Maret,
V. Trevor Forsyth,
Thomas Gisler
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
european biophysics journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1432-1017
pISSN - 0175-7571
DOI - 10.1007/s00249-008-0257-4
Subject(s) - stacking , intermolecular force , crystallography , dna , raman spectroscopy , elastomer , chemical physics , materials science , diffraction , base pair , folding (dsp implementation) , chemistry , molecule , composite material , optics , organic chemistry , physics , biochemistry , electrical engineering , engineering
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 the 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 films 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 angstroms. These reflections are not observed for any of the classical conformations associated with mixed sequence DNA, and may arise from extended base-pair stacking in a stretched DNA structure.
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