DNA condensation at freestanding cationic lipid bilayers.
We describe a previously unreported coil-globule transition of DNA electrostatically bound to a freestanding fluid cationic lipid membrane. The collapse of a DNA coil into a compact globule takes place after the DNA molecule attaches in an extended conformation to the membrane. DNA condensation is favored at a higher cationic lipid content, while at lower membrane charge densities coexistence of DNA random coils, partially collapsed conformations, and globules is observed.
Herold
C
C
Biophysics, BIOTEC, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Schwille
P
P
Petrov
E P
EP
D000327:Adsorption; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D055672:Static Electricity
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D004247:DNA