title: Theory of the delocalized binding of Mg(II) to DNA: preliminary analysis for low binding levels.
abstract: A simple theoretical equation for the binding of Mg2+ to DNA in the presence of excess 1:1 salt is derived from a model that does not specify discrete binding sites but rather allows the associated metal ions to move freely near the surface of the DNA polyion. Use of a numerical value for the free volume, determined uniquely, in a separate communication, by a free energy minimization, leads to predicted values for the Mg2+ binding constant that are in essential agreement with measured values taken from the literature.
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D007477:Ions; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012996:Solutions; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D012996:Solutions; D004247:DNA; D008274:Magnesium