Open AccessDNA and RNA polymerase/DNA complex imaged by scanning force microscopy: Influence of molecular‐scale friction
Author(s) -
Zenhausern F.,
Adrian M.,
HeggelerBordier B. Ten,
Eng L. M.,
Descouts P.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
scanning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.359
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1932-8745
pISSN - 0161-0457
DOI - 10.1002/sca.4950140405
Subject(s) - mica , scanning force microscopy , dna , biophysics , polymerase , atomic force microscopy , scanning electron microscope , microscopy , chemistry , dna supercoil , materials science , nanotechnology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , dna replication , optics , composite material , physics , biochemistry
Reproducible images of DNA and the interaction of RNA polymerase with supercoiled DNA on mica have been obtained by scanning force microscopy (SFM) in air. This technique allowed visualization of the assembly of distinct nucleoprotein complexes at specific sites which initiate DNA replication. Transmission electron microscopic controls were performed on the carbon‐coated replica of the same specimens previously scanned by scanning force microscope. Image contrast formation has been investigated and lateral friction forces have been qualitatively characterized with SFM on DNA‐covered samples.