Condensed matrix a tool to characterize DNA

Nucleotide composition and distribution along DNA sequence is known to play a vital role in the determination of gene function. The present study reports the development of useful method for mathematical characterization. A condensed characterization of the primary sequence is based on 4*4 matrices, the rows and columns of which are associated with the four nucleic bases A, G, C and T. Eigenvalues of the constructed matrices to characterize the potential risk of any genotoxic agent (ionizing radiation, chemicals, etc.) inducing mutations and deletions in DNA sequences. The condensed matrices for the primary sequences of DNA are serving as a source of invariants that allow quantitative comparisons of DNA from different sources. Suitably normalized leading eigenvalues of these matrices offer a novel characterization of the DNA primary sequence. The sensitivity of the descriptor renders it suitable to be used as a parameter to index toxicity levels of various agents that induce changes in DNAs. The study was outlined on the B-globine gene of three species illustrates the utility of the approach