title: Observation of a rectangular columnar phase in a DNA-calcium-zwitterionic lipid complex.
abstract: In the presence of calcium, DNA and unilamellar liposomes of the zwitterionic lipid DPPC form a complex in which DNA strands are embedded between a lamellar phase of DPPC. In some complexes, in-plane alignment of the DNA strands occurs, where a DNA-DNA interaxial distance can be measured using small-angle X-ray scattering. Here we report a higher level of DNA organization, with a rectangular columnar phase of DNA identified within this complex structure. This observation is important in view of recent interests in creating new synthetic systems at the interface of biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.forename: Joachim O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Rädler
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Dawson
mesh_terms: D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D007477:Ions
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D004247:DNA; D002118:Calcium