Metallization of single-stranded polyI by Zn(2+) ions in neutral solutions.

Metallization of single-stranded polyinosinic acid (polyI) by Zn(2+) ions at pH 7.0 was studied by differential UV spectroscopy at different temperatures. It was found that polyI is metallized at N7 and N1 atoms of hypoxanthine. The concentration dependence of the degree of binding of Zn(2+) ions to both N7 and N1 sites was obtained, and the corresponding binding constants were determined. Metallization of N1 occurs due to Zn(2+) substituting the imino protons and is effective not only at alkaline but also at neutral pH. This makes multistranded polyI-based systems more promising candidates for use in nanoelectronics than natural DNA sequences, metallization of which can be achieved only at alkaline pH.

Na+ and Mg2+ ion effect on the stability of a poly I . poly A . poly I triple helix.

Differential UV spectroscopy was used to study the temperature dependence of the conformational equilibrium in aqueous poly I . poly A . poly I (A2I) solutions containing Na+ (0.1-2 M) and Mg2+ (10(-5)-0.005 M) ions. Over the whole range of the studied Na+ and Mg2+ concentrations, the heating-induced destruction of the triple A2I helix is actually the A2I --> A + I + I (3 --> 1) transition. The rise of the transition temperature with increasing Na+ and Mg2+ contents is well described by Manning's and the "ligand" theories, which makes it possible to estimate the linear charge density on the single-stranded poly I (xi = 1.9 +/- 0.1) and the Mg2+-A2I binding constant (K = 1,250 M(-1) for the zero degree of binding). An analytical expression has been obtained, which correlates the constants of Mg2+ binding to three- and single-stranded polynucleotides (K3 and K1, respectively) and the linear charge density on them. There are only minor distinctions between the K3 values for A2U and A2I because these polynucleotides have similar structures. The difference in the K1 values is also slight as single-stranded poly U, poly I, and poly A have similar conformations. Dependence of the conformational transition temperatures of two triple helices with changing Mg2+ concentration.

Mg2+ ion effect on conformational equilibrium of poly A . 2 poly U and poly A poly U in aqueous solutions.

Differential UV spectroscopy and thermal denaturation were used to study the Mg(2+) ion effect on the conformational equilibrium in poly A.2 poly U (A2U) and poly A . poly U (AU) solutions at low (0.01 M Na(+)) and high (0.1 M Na(+)) ionic strengths. Four complete phase diagrams were obtained for Mg(2+)-polynucleotide complexes in ranges of temperatures 20-96 degrees C and concentrations (10(-5)-10(-2)) M Mg(2+). Three of them have a 'critical' point at which the type of the conformational transition changes. The value of the 'critical' concentration ([Mg(t)(2+)](cr)=(4.5+/-1.0) x 10(-5) M) is nearly independent of the initial conformation of polynucleotides (AU, A2U) and of Na(+) contents in the solution. Such a value is observed for Ni(2+) ions too. The phase diagram of the (A2U+Mg(2+)) complex with 0.01 M Na(+) has no 'critical' point: temperatures of (3-->2) and (2-->1) transitions increase in the whole Mg(2+) range. In (AU+Mg(2+)) phase diagram at 0.01 M Na(+) the temperature interval in which triple helices are formed and destroyed is several times larger than at 0.1 M Na(+). Using the ligand theory, a qualitative thermodynamic analysis of the phase diagrams was performed.