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Polynucleotides. VI. Molecular properties and conformation of polyribouridylic acid
Author(s) -
Richards Edward G.,
Flessel C. Peter,
Fresco Jacques R.
Publication year - 1963
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.360010504
Subject(s) - chemistry , polynucleotide , optical rotatory dispersion , titration , intrinsic viscosity , ionic strength , viscosity , dispersion (optics) , molecular mass , sedimentation equilibrium , crystallography , polymer chemistry , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , chromatography , circular dichroism , ultracentrifuge , polymer , biochemistry , optics , physics , enzyme , aqueous solution
Abstract Optical, hydrodynamic, and titration properties of polyribouridylic acid (poly U) were investigated in 0.2 M Na + , pH 6. Above 15°C., poly U was shown to be a randomly coiled single chain, devoid of secondary structure. There is no shear rate dependence of viscosity; molecular weight is independent of ionic strength; there is virtually no conformationally dependent hypochromicity; no anomalous optical rotatory dispersion; and no anomalous titration behavior. The dependence of the sedimentation constant and intrinsic viscosity on molecular weight was determined. Poly U was shown to be the most highly expanded of all synthetic and naturally occurring randomly coiled polynucleotides.