Biomaterial Database

DNA interaction with biologically active metal ions. Cooperativity of metal ion binding at compacting of DNA. 1998

S Kornilova, and E Hackl, and L Kapinos, and V Andrushchenko, and Y Blagoi

B.I. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkov.

The interaction of Cu2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions with DNA in aqueous and water-ethanol solutions at different metal ion concentrations was studied by IR-spectroscopy. At sufficiently high DNA concentrations, DNA interaction with Cu2+, Ca2+ and Mn2+ ions results in compacting of DNA in the aqueous solutions. This process shows a very high cooperativity. In the presence of alcohol, DNA condensation takes place at much lower concentrations of metal ions used than in pure aqueous solution. Binding constants and cooperativity of the metal ion binding rise, and the non-monotonous dependencies of the binding degree, r, on the concentration of free metal ions, Cf, become pronounced. Binding isotherms take the S-like form similar to van der Waals isotherms for phase transitions of the liquid-vapour type. Cu2+ and Ca2+ ion binding to DNA in water-ethanol solutions also results in compacting of DNA macromolecule. The process is characterised by a high positive cooperativity and has a phase transition character.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008345	Manganese	A trace element with atomic symbol Mn, atomic number 25, and atomic weight 54.94. It is concentrated in cell mitochondria, mostly in the pituitary gland, liver, pancreas, kidney, and bone, influences the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides, stimulates hepatic synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids, and is a cofactor in many enzymes, including arginase and alkaline phosphatase in the liver. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual 1992, p2035)
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D004247	DNA	A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).	DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D013055	Spectrophotometry, Infrared	Spectrophotometry in the infrared region, usually for the purpose of chemical analysis through measurement of absorption spectra associated with rotational and vibrational energy levels of molecules. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	IR Spectra,Infrared Spectrophotometry,IR Spectras,Spectra, IR
D019277	Entropy	The measure of that part of the heat or energy of a system which is not available to perform work. Entropy increases in all natural (spontaneous and irreversible) processes. (From Dorland, 28th ed)	Entropies