Structural analysis of G-DNA in solution: A combination of polarized and depolarized dynamic light scattering with hydrodynamic model calculations

Specific intra- and intermolecular quadruplex conformations of model G-DNA oligonucleotides have been identified from their translational and rotational diffusion coefficients in aqueous solution. The transport properties were determined by polarized and depolarized dynamic light scattering. A comparison with hydrodynamic model calculations provides detailed information about the size and shape of the molecules and allows one to distinguish between alternative intra- and intermolecular association. The potential of this combination of methods to elucidate biomolecular structures in solution, to characterize conformational changes, and follow intermolecular interaction processes due to a response to external stimuli has been discussed.