Published June 2011 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Structural correlations and melting of B-DNA fibers

Creators

  • 1. Institut Laue Langevin, B.P. 156, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, F-38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France)
  • 2. Fachbereich Physik, Universitaet Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz (Germany)
  • 3. Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Vasileos Constantinou 48, G-116 35 Athens (Greece)
  • 4. Universite de Lyon, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Laboratoire de Physique CNRS UMR 5672, 46 allee d'Italie, F-69364 Lyon Cedex 7 (France)
  • 5. Institut Neel, CNRS, Universite Joseph Fourier, 25 rue des Martyrs, B.P. 166, F-38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France)

Description

Despite numerous attempts, understanding the thermal denaturation of DNA is still a challenge due to the lack of structural data on the transition since standard experimental approaches to DNA melting are made in solution and do not provide spatial information. We report a measurement using neutron scattering from oriented DNA fibers to determine the size of the regions that stay in the double-helix conformation as the melting temperature is approached from below. A Bragg peak from the B form of DNA is observed as a function of temperature and its width and integrated intensity are measured. These results, complemented by a differential calorimetry study of the melting of B-DNA fibers as well as electrophoresis and optical observation data, are analyzed in terms of a one-dimensional mesoscopic model of DNA.

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1103/PhysRevE.83.061923;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print)
Journal Volume
83
Journal Issue
6
Journal Page Range
p. 061923-061923.11
ISSN
1539-3755

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
43032573
Subject category
S37: INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY;
Descriptors DEI
BRAGG CURVE; CALORIMETRY; DNA; ELECTROPHORESIS; MELTING; MELTING POINTS; NEUTRON DIFFRACTION; ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS; SOLUTIONS; TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
Descriptors DEC
COHERENT SCATTERING; DIAGRAMS; DIFFRACTION; DISPERSIONS; HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURES; INFORMATION; MIXTURES; NUCLEIC ACIDS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; SCATTERING; THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES; TRANSITION TEMPERATURE

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2011 American Institute of Physics