Control of the compaction/unfolding transition of genomic DNA by the addition/disruption of lipid assemblies.
We studied the interaction between individual long genomic DNA molecules and cationic lipid assemblies. The assembly of cationic lipid molecules into small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) of about 50 nm diameter led to the compaction of DNA whereas the addition of a neutral surfactant resulted in the disruption of SUVs and the unfolding of DNA. This reversible process does not require any chemical reaction or change in the ionic strength of the solution. It was applied to switch DNA repeatedly between a compact and an unfolded conformation in a dynamic manner.
Diguet
Antoine
A
Department of Chemistry, Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, France.
Baigl
Damien
D
D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D016678:Genome / Q000235:genetics*; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
D004279:DNA, Viral; D008055:Lipids