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Full-Text Articles in Physics

Reconstructing Three-Dimensional Shape Envelopes From Time-Resolved Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Data, Jessica Lamb, Lisa W. Kwok, Xiangyun Qiu, Kurt Andresen, Hye Yoon Park, Lois Pollack Dec 2008

Reconstructing Three-Dimensional Shape Envelopes From Time-Resolved Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Data, Jessica Lamb, Lisa W. Kwok, Xiangyun Qiu, Kurt Andresen, Hye Yoon Park, Lois Pollack

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Modern computing power has made it possible to reconstruct low-resolution, three-dimensional shapes from solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data on biomolecules without a priori knowledge of the structure. In conjunction with rapid mixing techniques, SAXS has been applied to time resolve conformational changes accompanying important biological processes, such as biomolecular folding. In response to the widespread interest in SAXS reconstructions, their value in conjunction with such time-resolved data has been examined. The group I intron from Tetrahymena thermophila and its P4–P6 subdomain are ideal model systems for investigation owing to extensive previous studies, including crystal structures. The goal of this …


Abrupt Transition From A Free, Repulsive To A Condensed, Attractive Dna Phase, Induced By Multivalent Polyamine Cations, Xiangyun Qiu, Kurt Andresen, Jessica S. Lamb, Lisa W. Kwok, Lois Pollack Nov 2008

Abrupt Transition From A Free, Repulsive To A Condensed, Attractive Dna Phase, Induced By Multivalent Polyamine Cations, Xiangyun Qiu, Kurt Andresen, Jessica S. Lamb, Lisa W. Kwok, Lois Pollack

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We have investigated the energetics of DNA condensation by multivalent polyamine cations. Solution small angle x-ray scattering was used to monitor interactions between short 25 base pair dsDNA strands in the free supernatant DNA phase that coexists with the condensed DNA phase. Interestingly, when tetravalent spermine is used, significant inter-DNA repulsion is observed in the free phase, in contrast with the presumed inter-DNA attraction in the coexisting condensed phase. DNA condensation thus appears to be a discrete, first-order-like, transition from a repulsive gaseous to an attractive condensed solid phase, in accord with the reported all-or-none condensation of giant DNA. We …


Mono- And Trivalent Ions Around Dna: A Small-Angle Scattering Study Of Competition And Interactions, Kurt Andresen, Xiangyun Qiu, Suzette A. Pabit, Jessica S. Lamb, Hye Yoon Park, Lisa W. Kwok, Lois Pollack Jul 2008

Mono- And Trivalent Ions Around Dna: A Small-Angle Scattering Study Of Competition And Interactions, Kurt Andresen, Xiangyun Qiu, Suzette A. Pabit, Jessica S. Lamb, Hye Yoon Park, Lisa W. Kwok, Lois Pollack

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The presence of small numbers of multivalent ions in DNA-containing solutions results in strong attractive forces between DNA strands. Despite the biological importance of this interaction, e.g., DNA condensation, its physical origin remains elusive.Wecarried out a series of experiments to probe interactions between short DNA strands as small numbers of trivalent ions are included in a solution containing DNA and monovalent ions. Using resonant (anomalous) and nonresonant small angle x-ray scattering, we coordinated measurements of the number and distribution of each ion species around the DNA with the onset of attractive forces between DNA strands. DNA-DNA interactions occur as the …