Single-molecule derivation of salt dependent base-pair free energies in DNA

Accurate knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of nucleic acids is crucial to predicting their structure and stability. To date most measurements of base-pair free energies in DNA are obtained in thermal denaturation experiments, which depend on several assumptions. Here we report measurements o...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autor: Huguet Casades, Josep Maria
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2010
País:España
Recursos:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:20.500.12328/4164
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12328/4164
https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1001454107
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Termodinàmica de l'ADN
Descomprimit de l'ADN
Model del veí més proper
Pinces òptiques
Termodinámica del ADN
Descomprimir el ADN
Modelo del vecino más cercano
Pinzas ópticas
DNA thermodynamics
DNA unzipping
Nearest-neighbor model
Optical tweezers
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Descrição
Resumo:Accurate knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of nucleic acids is crucial to predicting their structure and stability. To date most measurements of base-pair free energies in DNA are obtained in thermal denaturation experiments, which depend on several assumptions. Here we report measurements of the DNA base-pair free energies based on a simplified system, the mechanical unzipping of single DNA molecules. By combining experimental data with a physical model and an optimization algorithm for analysis, we measure the 10 unique nearest-neighbor base-pair free energies with 0.1 kcal mol-1 precision over two orders of magnitude of monovalent salt concentration. We find an improved set of standard energy values compared with Unified Oligonucleotide energies and a unique set of 10 base-pair-specific salt-correction values. The latter are found to be strongest for AA/TT and weakest for CC/GG. Our unique energy values and salt corrections improve predictions of DNA unzipping forces and are fully compatible with melting temperatures for oligos. The method should make it possible to obtain free energies, enthalpies, and entropies in conditions not accessible by bulk methodologies.