Abstract
The preferential solvent interaction of calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in ethanol–water mixtures was investigated by a densimetric method at 25°C. For all solvent compositions up to 40% (w/v) ethanol, water molecule was preferentially bound to DNA, the extent of preferential hydration being maximum around 20% ethanol. The free energy of transfer of B-DNA from water to aqueous ethanol was calculated from the preferential hydration data, and found to be positive and to increase to 7.9 kcal mol−1 of nucleotide with increasing ethanol content in the B–A transition region. The free energy of B–A transition induced by addition of ethanol was also estimated by circular dichroism analysis. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of stabilization of the B and A structures of DNA was discussed by means of the thermodynamics of multicomponent solutions (linked function analysis). The ethanol-induced B–A transition was successfully interpreted in terms of the different hydration levels of both structures as well as the changes in humidity.
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Gekko, K., Sakaki, T. & Shindo, H. Preferential Hydration and B–A Transition of Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Ethanol–Water Mixtures. Polym J 20, 751–760 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1295/polymj.20.751
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1295/polymj.20.751