The condensation of DNA by chromium (III) ions.
Cr(III), one of the most potent inorganic carcinogens, induces condensation of DNA into a very compact product at 37 degrees, as shown by electron microscopy. The condensation begins with the appearing of some supercoil structures and complete condensation occurs at relatively low Cr(III) concentrations; for 3 and 30 mM ionic strength they are 4.5 and 45 microM, respectively. Under these conditions, Cr(III) inhibits the interaction between ethidium and DNA as shown by absorption and fluorescence spectra.
D002857:Chromium; D004247:DNA / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004996:Ethidium; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D002857:Chromium; D004247:DNA; D004996:Ethidium