Interaction of cationic surfactants with DNA: a single-molecule study
Citation:
Husale, S., Grange,W., Karle, M.,Burgi, S., Hegner, M., Interaction of cationic surfactants with DNA: a single-molecule study, Nucleic Acids Research, 36, 5, 2008, 1443-1449Download Item:
Abstract:
The interaction of cationic surfactants with single
dsDNA molecules has been studied using forcemeasuring
optical tweezers. For hydrophobic
chains of length 12 and greater, pulling experiments
show characteristic features (e.g. hysteresis
between the pulling and relaxation curves, forceplateau
along the force curves), typical of a
condensed phase (compaction of a long DNA into
a micron-sized particle). Depending on the length
of the hydrophobic chain of the surfactant, we
observe different mechanical behaviours of the
complex (DNA-surfactants), which provide evidence
for different binding modes. Taken together, our
measurements suggest that short-chain surfactants,
which do not induce any condensation,
could lie down on the DNA surface and directly
interact with the DNA grooves through hydrophobic?
hydrophobic interactions. In contrast, longchain
surfactants could have their aliphatic tails
pointing away from the DNA surface, which could
promote inter-molecular interactions between
hydrophobic chains and subsequently favour DNA
condensation.
Sponsor
Grant Number
Science Foundation Ireland
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/hegnermDescription:
PUBLISHED
Author: HEGNER, MARTIN
Sponsor:
Science Foundation IrelandType of material:
Journal ArticleCollections
Series/Report no:
Nucleic Acids Research;36;
5;
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