Tension of DNA molecules and angular dependence of PFGE efficiency: a theoretical analysis.
The analysis of DNA separation in zone 1 of PFGE is made for both obtuse and sharp angles between pulsed fields on the basis of expression for electrophoretic velocity of the DNA molecule in the gel. Specific classes of DNA conformations are used for calculations, i.e., straight and one-angle molecules are considered. In accordance with experimental observations, higher efficiency of DNA separation for obtuse angles is shown. An algorithm of direct molecular length calculation is proposed on the basis of measured displacements of given molecular band for obtuse and corresponding sharp angles between pulsed fields. The expression for tension in the DNA molecule is given, which is important for discussion of DNA orientation and stretching and for estimation of critical fields which may cause the rupture of DNA molecules and/or gel fibers.
A.N. Frumkin Institute of Electrochemistry, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
Pastushenko VPh
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000379:methods
D004247:DNA