Interactions of DNA with divalent metal ions. IV. Competitive studies of Mn2+ binding to AT- and GC-rich DNAs

It has been inferred from previous studies that Mn²⁺ ions bind preferentially to G·C base pairs in DNA, and it has even been suggested that this preference for G·C pairs might be responsible for some of the Mn²⁺ specific effects observed in various biochemical reactions. In this paper we investigate the AT/GC preference of Mn²⁺ by direct competition studies in which AT-rich DNA was dialyzed against GC-rich DNA in the presence of varying amounts of Mn²⁺. Analysis of these results demonstrates that over a wide range of Mn²⁺/DNA(P) molar ratios, Mn²⁺ binds to A·T and to G·C base pairs with virtually identical affinity, although in a somewhat different mode. Both the present and previous nmr, uv, CD, and melting studies are discussed in terms of the different modes of binding of Mn²⁺ to single- and double-stranded DNA.