ATP/ADP switches the higher-order structure of DNA in the presence of spermidine.
In the living cellular environment, DNAs exist in a compact state in the presence of a polyamine, such as spermidine. We found that the hydrolysis of ATP into ADP induces the folding of elongated DNAs, by the single-chain observation of individual T4 DNA molecules. This result is discussed in relation to the possible role of ATP as a regulatory factor in genetic activity, in addition to its well-established role as an energy source.
Makita
N
N
Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Yoshikawa
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K
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D017122:Bacteriophage T4 / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013095:Spermidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013816:Thermodynamics
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA; D013095:Spermidine