Abstract: | Changes in the conformation of poly(G), poly(C), poly(U), and poly(I) in the presence of divalent metal ions Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ have been measured by means of ORD and u.v. spectra. Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions stabilize helical structures of all the polynucleotides very effectively at concentrations several orders of magnitude lower than the effective concentration of Na+ion. Cu2+ and Cd2+ destabilize the helical structure of polynucleotides to form random coils. Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Mn2+ions do not behave in such a clear-cut manner: they selectively stabilize some ordered structures, while destabilizing others, depending on the ligand strength of the nucleotide base as well as the preferred conformation of that polynucleotide. |