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Monovalent cation localization in DNA A-tracts with different sequences
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Monovalent cation localization in DNA A-tracts with different sequences

Earle Stellwagen and Nancy. C. C. Stellwagen
Electrophoresis, Vol.44(17-18), pp.1414-1422
09/01/2023
DOI: 10.1002/elps.202300063
PMID: 37354056
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.202300063View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

The free solution mobilities of 26-base pair (bp) DNA oligomers containing A-tracts with and without internal ApT steps have been measured by capillary electrophoresis, using the mobility of a 26-bp random-sequence oligomer as a reference. The background electrolytes (BGEs) contained mixtures of Li+ and tetrapropylammonium (TPA(+)) ions, keeping the total cation concentration constant at 0.3 M. The mobility ratios equaled 1.00 in 0.3 M TPA(+), indicating that the A-tract and reference oligomers had the same B-form conformation in this BGE. With increasing [Li+], the mobility ratio decreased as Li+ ions became localized in the A-tract minor groove, suggesting that the A-tract was now in the B* conformation. If the A-tract contained an internal ApT step and the oligomer contained less than & SIM;50% A + T, the mobility ratio reached a reduced plateau value that remained constant as the [Li+] increased to 0.3 M. However, for A-tracts without an internal ApT step and for A-tracts embedded in oligomers containing more than 50% A + T, the mobility ratios increased again at high [Li+], eventually reaching a plateau value of 1.00. Hence, DNA A-tracts in solution appear to exist as mixtures of the B and B* conformations, with the fractional concentration of each conformer depending on the [Li+], the A-tract sequence, and the total A + T content of the oligomer.
capillary electrophoresis DNA A-tracts internal ApT steps monovalent cation localization UIOWA OA Agreement

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