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The Role of ions in the acid melting of DNA
Author(s) -
Dore E.,
Frontali C.,
Gratton E.
Publication year - 1972
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.1972.360111004
Subject(s) - chemistry , counterion , enthalpy , mass action law , molecule , base (topology) , thermodynamics , dna , linearity , base pair , melting temperature , ion , computational chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , mathematical analysis , physics , materials science , mathematics , quantum mechanics , composite material
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 the 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 m vs. 1/ T ; (b) the stabilizing effect of Na + concentration. The enthalphy variation per base pair, deduced from the slope of the pH m vs. 1/ T plot, and from the number of H + bound per base pair, is in agreement with direct measurement. 6,8