Competitive Influence of Alkali Metals in the Ion Atmosphere on Nucleic Acid Duplex Stability.

ABSTRACT: The nonspecific atmosphere around nucleic acids, often termed the ion atmosphere, encompasses a collection of weak ion-nucleic acid interactions. Although nonspecific, the ion atmosphere has been shown to influence nucleic acid folding and structural stability. Studies investigating the composition of the ion atmosphere have shown competitive occupancy of the atmosphere between metal ions in the same solution. Many studies have investigated single ion effects on nucleic acid secondary structure stability; however, no comprehensive studies have investigated how the competitive occupancy of mixed ions in the ion atmosphere influences nucleic acid secondary structure stability. Here, six oligonucleotides were optically melted in buffers containing molar quantities, or mixtures, of either XCl

SUBMITTER: Arteaga SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10785066 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature