title: A potassium-39 NMR study of potassium binding to double-helical DNA.
abstract: The binding of K+ to double-helical DNA has been examined by 39K NMR. The results obtained are in substantial agreement with previous measurements of 23Na+ binding to DNA. Thus, in both cases the fractional neutralization of DNA phosphate charge appears independent of the total univalent cation concentration. Further, the dependences of the 23Na+ and 39K+ linewidths on Mg2+ and on temperature are strikingly similar. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of current theories of counterion binding to cylindrical polyelectrolytes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008954:Models, Biological; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; D004247:DNA; D011188:Potassium