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Interaction of metal ions with polynucleotides and related compounds. IX. Unwinding and rewinding of poly(A + U) and poly(I + C) by copper(II) ions
Author(s) -
Eichhorn Gunther L.,
Tarien Edward
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
biopolymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1097-0282
pISSN - 0006-3525
DOI - 10.1002/bip.1967.360050305
Subject(s) - polynucleotide , copper , chemistry , dissociation (chemistry) , metal , metal ions in aqueous solution , electrolyte , polymer chemistry , ion , ionic strength , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , aqueous solution , biochemistry , electrode
It is demonstrated that, poly(A + U) and poly(I + C) are both formed under low ionic strength conditions. Continuous variation studies indicate the formation of copper(II) complexes of poly A, poly C, and poly I, but not of poly U. Copper(II) in a 1:1 ratio to polynucleotide prevents the formation of poly(A + U) and brings about the dissociation of the poly (A + U) complex produced in the absence of the metal. Poly (I + C) is similarly dissociated by copper(II) ions. The addition of sufficient electrolyte reverses the copper(II) induced dissociation of poly(I + C). The effect of copper(II) on ordered synthetic polynucleotides is thus very similar to its effect on DNA.