Involvement of basic amino acids in the activity of a nucleic acid helix-destabilizing protein

Under conditions of low ionic strength, ribonuclease A, which binds more tightly to single- than to double-stranded DNA, lowers the melting temperature of DNA helices (Jensen and von Hippel (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 7198-7214). The effects of chemical modification of lysine and arginine residues on the helix-destabilizing properties of this protein have been examined. Removal of the positive charge on the lysine epsilon-amino group, either by maleylation or acetylation, destroys the ability of RNAase A to lower the Tm of poly[d(A-T)]. However, reductive alkylation of these residues, which has not effect on charge, yields derivatives which lower the Tm by only about one-half that seen with unmodified controls. Phenylglyoxalation of arginines can largely remove the Tm-depressing activity of RNAase A. RNAase S, which is produced by cleavage of RNAase A between amino acids 20 and 21, possesses DNA helix-destabilizing activity comparable to that of the parent protein, whereas S-protein (residues 21-124) increases poly[d(A-T)] Tm and S-peptide (1-20) has no effect on Tm. These results suggest that specific location of several basic amino acids situated on the surface of RNAase A is largely responsible for this protein's DNA melting activity.     

Effect of 5-alkyl substitution of uracil on the thermal stability of poly [d(A-r5U)] copolymers.

The thermal transition of poly[d(A-r5U)] polydeoxynucleotides (where r was a hydrogen atom, or a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl or n-pentyl group) was studied by measuring the derivative melting profiles of the polymers in the range of 0.01--0.36 M K+, at pH 6.8. According to the Tm values, polydeoxynucleotide analogues show lower thermal stability than poly[d(A-T)] at any counterion concentration applied. At a given salt concentration, Tm of the alkyl analogues decreased as the number of carbon atoms (n) in the r substituent of poly[d(A-r5U)] increased. 1/Tm plotted against against 1/n yielded a linear relationship. Cooperativity of the melting of all poly[d(A--U)] analogues decreased with the increase of salt concentration in the solution. This change depended again on 5-substitution of the uracil moiety of poly[d(A-U)]. Smallest decrease was observed in the case of poly[d(A--U)] whereas largest decrease was shown by poly[d(A-pe5U)] (pe=pentyl group).     

Nonhistone chromosomal protein HMG 1 interactions with DNA. Fluorescence and thermal denaturation studies

The interaction of high mobility group protein 1 (HMG 1) isolated from chicken erythrocytes with DNA has been characterized using the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of the protein as a probe. It was found that the fluorescence is quenched approximately 30% upon binding to either single- or double-stranded DNA. Fluorescent titrations indicate that the physical site size for HMG 1 binding on native DNA is approximately 14 base pairs (or 14 bases for binding to single-stranded DNA). Binding to single-stranded poly(dA) is only slightly dependent on ionic strength, although the affinity for double-stranded DNA is strongly ionic strength-dependent and has an optimum at approximately 100-120 mM Na+. Above this range, binding to native DNA is virtually all electrostatic in nature. Although the affinity of HMG 1 for single-stranded DNA is higher than that for double-stranded DNA at the extremes of the ionic range studied, no clear evidence for a helix-destabilizing activity was obtained. At low ionic strength, the protein actually stabilized DNA against thermal denaturation, while at high ionic strength, HMG 1 appears to undergo denaturation below the Tm of the DNA. Studies of the environment of the tryptophan fluorophores using collisional quenchers iodide, cesium, and acrylamide suggest that the predominant fluorophore is relatively exposed but constrained in a rigid, positively charged environment.     

Non-polysomal poly(A)-containing messenger ribonucleoproteins of cryptobiotic gastrulae of Artemia salina

Non-polysomal poly(A)-containing messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) of Artemia salina has been isolated by thermal chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose in moderate (250 mM) and low (50 mM NaCl and 5 mM MgCl2) ionic strength. The purified particles sedimented between 5 S and 30 S and banded at a density of 1.38-1.40 g/cm3 and 1.26-1.27 g/cm3 in CsCl and sucrose isopycnic centrifugation, respectively. The translatability of the mRNP in a cell-free system depended on the conditions of isolation. The protein composition of the free mRNP is independent of the conditions used in oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography. The proteins have Mr of 87,000, 76,000, 65,000, 50,000, 45,000, 38,000 and 23,500. A specific set of proteins is associated wtih different ribonucleoproteins, although some proteins are present on multiple particles. The main 17 +/- 2-S particle is composed of proteins with Mr of 87,000, 76,000, 45,000 and 38,000. Approximately the same proteins were present on free mRNP and mRNP isolated from non-polysomal mRNP-ribosome complexes. Poly(A)-binding proteins have Mr of 38,000 and 23,500. The 38,000-Mr protein comprised at least 60% of the total mRNP protein. Poly(A)-binding proteins with Mr of 38,000 and 76,000 are also present in a free state in the cytoplasm. A relation between the main poly(A)-binding mRNP protein and the helix-destabilizing protein HD40 [Marvil, D. K., Nowak, L., and Szer, W. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 6466-6472] is discussed.     

Nucleic acid helix-coil transitions mediated by helix-unwinding proteins from calf thymus.

We have studied nucleic acid double helix destabilization mediated by purified calf helix-unwinding proteins, measuring ultraviolet hyperchromicity to detect helix melting. Both calf unwinding protein 1 (UP1) and a high salt eluting protein fraction are found to depress strongly the helix melting temperature (Tm) of the synthetic alternating copolymers poly[d(AT)] and poly[r(AU)], indicating that both DNA and RNA are recognized by these proteins. UP1 also destabilizes natural, GC-containing DNA helices, but to a smaller extent than observed with the above polymers. A simple model is presented to aid in the qualitative interpretation of the data, outlining the expected effect on the helix-coil transition of a protein ligand with differential affinity for the helix or coil form of nucleic acid. The observed helix-destabilizing effect of UP1 is dependent on the protein to nucleic acid ratio in an expected manner. Competition studies demonstrate a low, but appreciable affinity of UP1 for native DNA, opening the possibility that protein-mediated denaturation might be initiated by protein binding to the double helix. "Hairpin" helical regions of denatured DNA are strongly destabilized by UP1. Despite the fact that removal of these hairpin helices might greatly facilitate DNA renaturation, we failed to observe renaturation from the UP1-DNA complex after a switch to helix-stabilizing conditions. Thus, UP1 shows an important difference from its presumed prokaryotic analogue, T4 gene 32-protein. Possible in vivo functions of the calf proteins are discussed in light of these observations.     

Cytoplasmic DNA-binding phosphoproteins of Physarum polycephalum.

The cytoplasmic DNA-binding proteins of Physarum polycephalum were recovered by chromatography of cytosol extracts on sequential columns of native and denatured calf thymus DNA-cellulose. 5.4% of the total cytosol protein was bound to native DNA-cellulose, while 4.4% was bound to denatured DNA-cellulose. Stepwise salt gradient elution of the columns separated the DNA-binding proteins into 9 fractions which were analysed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Several hundred discrete polypeptide bands were identified, with many more high molecular weight polypeptides (greater than 100 000 D) binding to native than to denatured DNA. Continuous in vivo labelling of microplasmodia in KH₂[³²P]O₄ and [³H]leucine was used to determine which of the DNA-binding proteins were phosphorylated, and to approximate their phosphorus content. About 30–40 phosphoproteins were resolved among the DNA-binding proteins. Most phosphoproteins contained less than 3 phosphates per polypeptide, but a small number of low molecular weight phosphoproteins (less than 50 000 D) contained from 5 to 10 phosphates per polypeptide. The majority of high molecular weight DNA-binding phosphoproteins bound to native DNA and were eluted with 0.25 M NaCl. As a group, the DNA-binding proteins were enriched in protein-bound phosphorus when compared with the cytosol proteins which did not bind to DNA. The phosphorus content of the cytoplasmic DNA-binding proteins was similar to that of the acidic nuclear proteins.     

A.U and G.C base pairs in synthetic RNAS have characteristic vacuum UV CD bands.

The vacuum UV CD spectra of GpC, CpG, GpG, poly[r(A)], poly[r(C)], poly[r(U)], poly[r(A-U)], poly[r(G).r(C)], poly[r(A).r(U)], and poly[r(A-U).r(A-U)] were measured down to at least 174 nm. These spectra, together with the published spectra of poly[r(G-C).r(G-C)], CMP, and GMP, were sufficient to estimate the CD changes upon base pairing for four double-stranded RNAs. The vacuum UV CD bands of poly[r(A)], poly[r(C)], and the dinucleotides GpC and CpG were temperature dependent, suggesting that they were due to intrastrand base stacking. The dinucleotide sequence isomers GpC and CpG had very different vacuum UV CD bands, indicating that the sequence can play a role in the vacuum UV CD of single-stranded RNA. The vacuum UV CD bands of the double-stranded (G.C)-containing RNAs, poly[r(G).r(C)] and poly[r(G-C).r(G-C)], were larger than the measured or estimated vacuum UV CD bands of their constituent single-stranded RNAs and were similar in having an exceptionally large positive band at about 185 nm and negative bands near 176 and 209 nm. These similarities were enhanced in difference-CD spectra, obtained by subtracting the CD spectra of the single strands from the CD spectra of the corresponding double strands. The (A.U)-containing double-stranded RNAs poly[r(A).r(U)] and poly[r(A-U).r(A-U)] were similar only in that their vacuum UV CD spectra had a large positive band at 177 nm. The spectrum of poly[r(A).r(U)] had a shoulder at 188 nm and a negative band at 206 nm, whereas the spectrum of poly[r(A-U).r(A-U)] had a positive band at 201 nm. On the other hand, difference spectra of both of the (A.U)-containing polymers had positive bands at about 177 and 201 nm. Thus, the difference-CD spectra revealed CD bands characteristic of A.U and G.C base pairing. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The function of zinc in gene 32 protein from T4

Gene 32 protein (g32P), the single-stranded DNA binding protein from bacteriophage T4, contains 1 mol of Zn(II) bound in a tetrahedral complex to -S- ligands, proposed on spectral evidence to include Cys-77, Cys-87, and Cys-90 [Giedroc, D. P., Keating, K. M., Williams, K. R., Konigsberg, W. H., & Coleman, J. E. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 8452]. The Zn(II) can be completely removed by treatment with the mercurial reagent p-(hydroxymercuri)benzenesulfonate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The resultant apo-g32P is rapidly digested by trypsin in contrast to the zinc protein which undergoes specific limited proteolysis to yield a resistant DNA-binding core. Rebinding of Zn(II) to the apoprotein restores the same limited susceptibility to proteolysis displayed by the native Zn(II) protein. In the presence of 150 mM NaCl, Zn(II) g32P reduces the melting temperature Tm of poly[d(A-T)] by 47 degrees C, while apo-g32P is unable to melt poly[d(A-T)] at this salt concentration, as the protein thermally unfolds before melting can take place. At 25 mM NaCl, however, apo-g32P lowers the Tm of poly[d(A-T)] by 36 degrees C, but the melting curve is broad compared to the steep cooperative melting induced by Zn(II) g32P. Association constants Ka calculated from the poly[d(A-T)] melting curves for Zn(II) and apo-g32P differ by 3 orders of magnitude, 4.8 X 10(10) M-1 and 4.3 X 10(7) M-1, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on the structure of mouse helix-destabilizing protein-1. DNA binding and controlled proteolysis with trypsin

A mouse helix-destabilizing protein (HD protein-1) has been purified and characterized, and controlled tryptic digestion has been used to generate two large fragments of this protein and to study structural changes accompanying DNA binding. HD protein-1, a DNA-binding protein that has higher affinity for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-cellulose than for double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-cellulose and is resistant to a dextran sulfate elution from ssDNA-cellulose, was purified from mouse myeloma by the method described by Herrick and Alberts (Herrick, G., and Alberts, B. M. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 2124-2132). HD protein-1 was heterogeneous with regard to apparent molecular weight (range of Mr = 24,000 to 33,000), but individual Mr species shared extensive primary structure homology as revealed by tryptic peptide mapping. The predominant species of this protein, Mr = 27,000, was resolved from other species and obtained in nearly homogeneous form by preparative isoelectric focusing. Mouse HD protein-1 was capable of lowering the Tm of poly[d(A-T)] by 25 degrees C, indicating that it is a helix-destabilizing protein. Sedimentation boundary analysis revealed that binding to ssDNA was noncooperative and that the binding site covered about 6 nucleotide residues. There was a 35% increase in the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of the protein in the presence of ssDNA, suggesting that structural change accompanies binding. Subcellular localization studies indicated that 75% of mouse HD protein-1 is nuclear, but not chromatin-associated, and primary structure analysis indicated that HD protein-1 is distinct from high mobility group proteins 1 and 2, histones, and P8 protein. Tryptic hydrolysis of HD protein-1 produced discrete, large fragments whose apparent molecular weights ranged from 19,000 to 24,000, and whose relative abundance was changed by the presence of ssDNA during the digestion. Thus, a Mr = 22,000 fragment (22 HDP*) predominated in the absence of ssDNA, and a Mr = 19,000, fragment (19 HDP*) predominated in the presence of ssDNA. Poly(dT) and denatured calf thymus DNA were more effective than were other polynucleotides tested in promoting accumulation of 19 HDP*; (dT)8 was as effective as were longer molecules of (dT)n, but (dT)4 and (dT)6 were much less effective, indicating that the binding site involved in 19 HDP* accumulation covered between 6 and 8 residues of (dT)n. Both 19 HDP* and 22 HDP* have the same COOH-terminal end and the same affinity for ssDNA-cellulose as does the native HD protein-1, indicating that a Mr = 8,000 sequence at the NH2-terminal end of HD protein-1 is not required for binding to ssDNA. Even though 22 HDP* retained the ability to bind to ssDNA, it could not be converted to 19 HDP* by further trypsin digestion.     

CD of the synthetic RNA duplexes poly[r(A-T)] and poly[r(A-U)] in salt and ethanolic solutions.

Synthetic RNA poly[r(A-T)] has been synthesized and its CD spectral properties compared to those of poly[r(A-U)], poly[d(A-T)], and poly[d(A-U)] in various salt and ethanolic solutions. The CD spectra of poly[r(A-T)] in an aqueous buffer and of poly[d(A-T)] in 70.8% v/v ethanol are very similar, suggesting that they both adopt the same A conformation. On the other hand, the CD spectra of poly[r(A-T)] and of poly[r(A-U)] differ in aqueous, and even more so in ethanolic, solutions. We have recently observed a two-state salt-induced isomerization of poly[r(A-U)] into chiral condensates, perhaps of Z-RNA [M. Vorlícková, J. Kypr, and T. M. Jovin, (1988) Biopolymers 27, 351-354]. It is shown here that poly[r(A-T)] does not undergo this isomerization. Both the changes in secondary structure and tendency to aggregation are different for poly[r(A-T)] and poly[r(A-U)] in aqueous salt solutions. In most cases, the CD spectrum of poly[r(A-U)] shows little modification of its CD spectrum unless the polymer denatures or aggregates, whereas poly[r(A-T)] displays noncooperative alterations in its CD spectrum and a reduced tendency to aggregation. At high NaCl concentrations, poly[r(A-T)] and poly[r(A-U)] condense into psi(-) and psi(+) structures, respectively, indicating that the type of aggregation is dictated by the polynucleotide chemical structure and the corresponding differences in conformational properties.     

Chromatin receptors for thyroid hormones. Interactions of the solubilized proteins with DNA.

Thyroid hormone-responsive tissues contain chromatin "receptor" proteins that are concentrated in chromatin subfractions enriched in DNA. These receptors appear to be DNA-binding proteins. In the present study, we utilized a DNA-cellulose binding assay to further examine the interactions of solubilized receptors with DNA. [125I]Triiodothyronine associates with receptors bound to DNA-cellulose, whereas free [I]triiodothyronine and [125I]triiodothyronine associated with other proteins does not. The DNA-receptor interactions appear to be strong enough to exist at physiological ionic strength since binding is 50% maximal ag 0.175 M NaCl and is only partly inhibited by Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the 1 to 5 mM range. Most, if not all, of the receptors are capable of DNA binding, and there are at least 80,000 receptor binding sites/diploid DNA (assuming one triiodothyronine binding site/receptor). Binding of the receptor-[125I]triiodothyronine complexes to other DNAs and analogs was examined using a competition assay. There is similar binding by native and denatured DNA, gy eukaryotic DNA from different species and by prokaryotic DNA (Bacillus subtilis). Binding by natural DNAs is more avid than by cytoplasmic RNA, nuclear RNA, poly(dA-dT)-poly(dA-dT), or poly(dG-dC)-poly(dG-dC). Under these conditions, binding by tRNA and poly(dA) is insignificant, and the nucleotide monomers ATP and GTP have no detectable binding. These studies support the idea that the thyroid hormone receptor is a DNA-binding protein and that the interaction is a major determinant for receptor localization in chromatin. The competition studies suggest that the polynucleotide composition and/or conformation can have marked influences on the binding, and that multiple orders of binding affinity can exist. The presence of specific sequences cannot be excluded. However, the finding that receptors bind extensively and tightly to DNA suggests that receptors in chromatin may randomly bind to any available DNA, resulting in some of the receptors being at physiologically unimportant sites. If so, the several thousand hormone receptors present in each target cell may be required to enhance the possibility that some of the receptors are present at the actual sites of action.     

Salt effects on internal motions of superhelical and linear pUC8 DNA. Dynamic light scattering studies

The plasmid pUC8 (2717 bp) has been studied in its native superhelical and Eco RI-linearized forms by dynamic light scattering at NaCl concentrations from 1.1 mM to 1 M. The data were analyzed using the biexponential model for the dynamic structure factor described by us in a previous paper (J. Langowski, U. Giesen and C. Lehmann, Biophys. Chem. 25 (1986) 191). As before, we could identify two decay components corresponding to the center-of-mass diffusion and to internal motions of the DNA, where the fast component could be identified as a rotational diffusion contribution in the case for superhelical, but not for linear DNA. We found that the conformation of superhelical pUC8 is not affected by changing the ionic strength, while the amplitude of the internal relaxation increases approx. 2-fold when [NaCl] is raised from 1.1 mM to 1 M. The linearized DNA shows an increase of the diffusion coefficient with ionic strength which is, however, not quite as pronounced as that found by others (Z. Kam, N. Borochov and H. Eisenberg, Biopolymers 20 (1981) 2671), and, together with the unchanged conformation of the superhelical DNA, suggests a persistence length which is not strongly dependent on ionic strength. In contrast to the increasing amplitude of internal relaxation for the superhelical DNA, this amplitude remains constant or decreases slightly for linear DNA on going from 1.1 mM to 1 M salt. Our findings are further discussed with respect to possible models of the interwound form of superhelical DNA.     

Interaction of the HMG1 protein with nucleic acids

Binding constants have been measured for the interaction of the protein HMG1 with native DNA, denatured DNA and a number of polynucleotides at near-physiological ionic strengths, using gel filtration and thermal denaturation. The interaction of HMG1 with DNA is shown to be noncooperative and reversible. Nucleic acids form the following series in order of increasing binding constants: poly(U) integral of poly(A) less than poly(dA) less than dsDNA integral of poly(dA) X poly(dT) integral of poly(dG) X poly(dC) much less than poly[d(A-T]) integral of ssDNA.     

Ionic strength dependence of the hysteresis in the polyriboadenylate-polyribouridylate system.

The hysteresis observed in cyclic acid-base titrations of the three-standed polyribonucleotide helix poly (A)-2 POLY (U) strongly depends on ionic strength. For NaCl and at 25 degrees C, hysteresis occurs in the limited concentration range between 0.03 M and 1.0 M(NaCl). The transition points associated with the cyclic conversions between the triple helix and the poly (A)-poly (A) double helix and (free) poly (U) constitute a (pH ionic strength) phase diagram covering the ranges of stability and metastability of the hysteresis system. Variations with NaCl concentration of some hysteresis parameters can be quantitatively described in terms of polyelectrolyte theories based on the cylinder-cell model for rodlike polyions. The results of this analysis suggest that the metastability is predominantly due to dlectrostatic energy barriers preventing the equilibrium transition of the partially protonated triple helix above a critical pH value. Ultraviolet absorbance and potentiometric titration data of poly (A)in the acidic pH range can be analyzed in terms of two types of double-helical structures. Spectrophotometric titrations reveal isosbestic wavelengths for structural transitions of poly (A). "Time effects" commonly observed in poly (A) titrations are suggested to reflect helix transitions between the two acidic structures.     

The measurement of plant polyadenylic acid by hybridisation with radioactive polyuridylic acid

Summary Saturation hybridisation of polyadenylic acid with [³H]polyuridylic acid is described. Under conditions of [³H]poly(U) excess, poly(A) is detected in the RNA of a number of higher plants. The ribonuclease resistant hybrids melt sharply when subjected to thermal denaturation. Plant RNA which contains poly(A) sequences detected by [³H]poly(U) hybridisation is polydisperse in molecular weight. Data presented shows that the amount of poly(A) in plant RNA is variable. This technique is useful for the qualitative and quantitative detection of poly(A) sequences in higher plant RNA.Abbreviations A.R. Analar Reagent - Poly(A) Polyadenylic acid - Poly(U) Polyuridylic acid - Oligo(dT)-cellulose oligo(deoxythymidylate)-cellulose - Tm melting temperature - SSC standard saline citrate     

Poly(U) binding to ascites cells of the 13762A rat mammary adenocarcinoma: Evidence for a protein receptor on the cell surface

Ascites cells of the 13762 rat mammary adenocarcinoma bind poly(U) in a reaction that is complete within 5 min at 0°C. Poly(U) binding is saturable; the capacity of these cells is 5×10⁷ UMP residues/cell (approx. 2×10⁵ chains/cell). Most [³H]poly(U) bound in the rapid reaction can be recovered in an undergraded state. However, it is rapidly degraded by low concentrations of exogenous pancreatic ribonuclease. The magnitude of binding is independent of temperature and ionic conditions, and is unaffected by metabolic inhibitors or concanavalin A (ConA). Radioactivity presented as [³H]poly(U) tends to co-fractionate with 5′-nucleotidase after homogenization of cells in the media of low ionic strength, but is efficiently released from cells exposed to protein denaturants that effectively fix cellular RNA in situ. Cells pretreated with proteolytic enzymes have sharply reduced capacities to bind poly(U). Autoradiography of cells bearing [³H]poly(U) demonstrates a uniform distribution of radioactivity through the cell population and is consistent with binding to the plasma membrane. These and other results imply that binding of poly(U) to 13762 ascites cells is mediated by protein receptors on the cell surface.     

Chain flexibility and hydrodynamics of the B and Z forms of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC).

The solution properties of the B and Z forms of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) have been measured by static and dynamic laser light scattering. The radius of gyration, persistence length, translational and segmental diffusion coefficients, and the Rouse-Zimm parameters have been evaluated. The persistence length of the Z form determined at 3 M NaCl is about 200 nm compared to 84 and 61 nm respectively for the B forms of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), and calf thymus DNA, both determined at 0.1 M NaCl. The data on persistence length, diffusion coefficients and the Rouse-Zimm parameters indicate a large increase in the chain stiffness of Z DNA compared to the B form. These results are opposite to the ionic strength effects on random sequence native DNAs, for which the flexibility increases with ionic strength and levels off at about 1 M NaCl.     

Conformation of the extracellular polysaccharide of Xanthomonas campestris.

The solution conformation of the extracellular polysaccharide of the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris is examined by optical rotation, viscometry, and potentiometric titration. Measurements of optical rotation vs. temperature for solutions of the polysaccharide at low ionic strength reveal a sharp transition to a denatured structure which is reversible if sufficient salt is present. The temperature Tm at the transition midpoint increases as log (Na+) or log (Ca2+). Viscosity-temperature profiles substantiate a structural change of the polysaccharide at Tm. The intrinsic viscosity of the native molecule at zero shear rate exceeds 5000 ml/g. This high figure is indicative of a stiff chain. The viscosity of the native molecule is relatively insensitive to salt, whereas the denatured molecule collapses if salt is present. Hydrogen-ion titration shows that the pKapp of the COO- groups of the polymer decreases from 3.2 in 0.01 M NaC1 to 2.6 in 0.2 M NaC1. All these data suggest that the native polysaccharide possesses ordered secondary structure stabilized by nonionic interactions outweighing the repulsion between adjacent COO- groups.