Abstract
THIS communication reports the results of experiments in which left- and right-circularly polarized light is propagated along the flow lines of a streaming solution of DNA or of the DNA-AO (acridine orange (I)) complex, and the differential molar extinction coefficient (ɛl−ɛr) is measured as a function of wave-length. By these means circular dichroism bands due to electronic transitions polarized parallel and perpendicular to the helix axis of the DNA polymer are distinguished, as light propagated along the helix axis can give rise only to transitions with perpendicular polarization. With the small flow rates employed (3 c.c./sec through a cylindrical cell 4 mm in diameter) the degree of orientation of the rod-like polymer molecules along the flow-lines is small, but it is sufficient to produce circular dichroism changes (Figs. 1 and 2) which allow the polarization directions of the bands to be identified.
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MASON, S., MCCAFFERY, A. Optical Rotatory Power of DNA and of its Complex with Acridine Orange under Streaming Conditions. Nature 204, 468–470 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/204468b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/204468b0
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