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Detecting Counterion Dynamics in DNA–Protein Association
Author(s) -
Pletka Channing C.,
Nepravishta Ridvan,
Iwahara Junji
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201910960
Subject(s) - counterion , diffusion , ion , ionic bonding , chemistry , chemical physics , dna , biophysics , biochemistry , organic chemistry , thermodynamics , biology , physics
Due to a high density of negative charges on its surface, DNA condenses cations as counterions, forming the so‐called “ion atmosphere”. Although the release of counterions upon DNA–protein association has been postulated to have a major contribution to the binding thermodynamics, this release remains to be confirmed through a direct observation of the ions. Herein, we report the characterization of the ion atmosphere around DNA using NMR spectroscopy and directly detect the release of counterions upon DNA–protein association. NMR‐based diffusion data reveal the highly dynamic nature of counterions within the ion atmosphere around DNA. Counterion release is observed as an increase in the apparent ionic diffusion coefficient, which directly provides the number of counterions released upon DNA–protein association.