Publications


Title : Compaction and Multiple-Chain Assembly of DNA with the Cationic Polymer, Poly-Aluminumchloride (PAC)

Language: English
Type: Article
Authors: Yukiko Matsuzawa, Toshio Kanbe and Kenichi Yoshikawa
Journal: Langmuir
ISSN: 0743-7463
Volume: 20
Number: 15
Month: 7
Year: 2004
Actual year: 2004
Pages: 6439-6442
doi:   10.1021/la036392f
Abstract: Assembly of DNA molecules by the addition of poly(aluminum chloride) (PAC) was studied. In the absence of PAC, electron microscopy indicated the formation of elongated coiled DNA molecules. In the presence of PAC, multiple doughnut-like structures, 8-15 nm thick, formed and fused together. When salt was added, the doughnut-like structures tended to be thinner and the morphology of the fused doughnuts became irregular. We obtained a view of a single DNA structure by fluorescent microscopy, which revealed that individual DNA molecules undergo a discrete transition from an elongated to compacted state with an increase in PAC concentration. Electron microscopic observation showed that a regular doughnut is the typical structure seen under low salt conditions. At high salt concentrations, the doughnut shape deformed, yielding results similar to those produced by the salt effect on DNA assembly at high DNA concentrations.

"Compaction and Multiple-Chain Assembly of DNA with the Cationic Polymer, Poly-Aluminumchloride (PAC)"

Yukiko Matsuzawa, Toshio Kanbe and Kenichi Yoshikawa, Langmuir, 20, 6439-6442 (2004)