title: Mn2+ and other transition metals at low concentration induce the right-to-left helical transformation of poly[d(G-C)].
abstract: The effects of the first-row transition metal ions on the right(B)- to left(Z)-handed helical transition of poly[d(G-C)] have been determined. The Z conformation is induced by MnCl2 at submillimolar concentrations. The forward reaction has a very large activation energy (440 kJ/mol) so that a facile conversion occurs only at temperatures above 45 degrees C. However, the left-handed form remains stable upon cooling. The addition of ethanol (20% v/v) eliminates the requirement for elevated temperature. The transition is highly co-operative and is accompanied by spectral changes (absorption, circular dichroism) characteristic for the B----Z conformational transition. NiCl2 and CoCl2 also induce the B----Z transition in poly[d(G-C)] but the activation energies and thus the temperature requirements for the forward reaction are lower than those observed with MnCl2. The left-handed DNA formed in the presence of Mn2+ is similar to 'Z DNA' previously described in Mg2+-EtOH (van de Sande and Jovin , 1982): (a) it readily sediments out of solution at low speed as a consequence of intermolecular association which, however, is not accompanied by turbidity; and (b) it supports the binding of ethidium bromide although this drug interacts preferentially with the B form of DNA. With Ni2+, the B----Z isomerization step can be separated from the subsequent specific Z----Z* association. Mn2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ also promote the B----Z transition of poly[d(G-m5C)] at substoichiometric concentrations with respect to DNA nucleotide.
mesh_terms: D002151:Calorimetry; D002712:Chlorides; D007700:Kinetics; D008345:Manganese; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D008670:Metals; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D008670:Metals; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides; C019530:poly(dC-dG); D008345:Manganese; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C025340:manganese chloride