title: Structural correlations and melting of B-DNA fibers.
abstract: Despite numerous attempts, understanding the thermal denaturation of DNA is still a challenge due to the lack of structural data on the transition since standard experimental approaches to DNA melting are made in solution and do not provide spatial information. We report a measurement using neutron scattering from oriented DNA fibers to determine the size of the regions that stay in the double-helix conformation as the melting temperature is approached from below. A Bragg peak from the B form of DNA is observed as a function of temperature and its width and integrated intensity are measured. These results, complemented by a differential calorimetry study of the melting of B-DNA fibers as well as electrophoresis and optical observation data, are analyzed in terms of a one-dimensional mesoscopic model of DNA.
authors.affiliation: Institut Laue Langevin, Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wildes
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Theodorakopoulos
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valle-Orero
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cuesta-López
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Garden
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peyrard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059371:DNA, B-Form / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D033363:Neutron Diffraction; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D044366:Transition Temperature
chemical_list: D059371:DNA, B-Form