DNA interaction with biologically active divalent metal ions: binding constants calculation

In our previous work we have shown that under the action of Cu2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions DNA is able to transit into a compact state in aqueous solution. In the present work we carried out calculations of binding constants for divalent metal ions interacting with DNA in terms of the macromolecule statistical sum. The formula for calculation of the binding constants and cooperativity parameters was proposed. It was shown that on the "coil state"-"compact (globule) state" transition a single DNA molecule may undergo the first-order phase transition while the transition of the assembly of average DNA chains is of sigmoidal character typical of the cooperative and continuous transition. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.