ALBERT

Notes: Investigations have been made on the optical rotatory dispersion properties of E. coli ribosomes and their constituent RNA and proteins. The results indicate that (1) no conformational changes are involved in the formation of a 70S particle from the 50S and 308 subunits, (2) the E. coli ribosomal proteins are similar to most globular proteins with little α-helix content, and (3) the conformation of RNA and proteins inside the ribosome is very similar to that in the free state.

Notes: The iodine which is added to an aqueous amylose solution is bound only partly by the amylose while forming the blue complex and partly remains free. The equilibrium normality of the free and the bound iodine at half-saturation of amylose by iodine is designated as [If]v and [Ib]w, respectively. The stability of the poly iodine chain formed within the axis of amylose helices depends on its length, i.e., indirectly on the DP of the amylose helices: the greater this stability, the lower the [If]v value. The amylose molecule consists of helical segments. Such a molecule may behave as a random coil. The average length of the helical segments in freshly prepared amylose-iodine complexes depends on temperature, pH, iodide concentration, the presence of other complex-forming agents, and the DP of the amylose. This latter factor is investigated in the present paper. By the aid of an automatically recording photometrictitrating device the coherent values of [Ib] and [If] were determined. Plotting these values against DPn for mechanochemically degraded as well as for periodateo-xidized amyloses resulted in curves consisting of two linear sections. The break of the curves occurred between DPn 110 and 130. It was concluded that below DPn = 100 the DP of helical segments (= sDPn) is identical to the DPn of the total molecule, i.e., the molecule consists of only a single, relatively stiff helix. Above this limit the molecule contains several helical segments. The DP of these helical segments can be calculated as follows: sDPn = 141.1 - 10.2 × 105[If]v. This equation is considered to be valid for 0.5-0.6 mg. amylose in 100 ml. 0.1N HCl at 20°C., λ = 650 mμ, euuvet diameter 3.4 cm., the feed rate of the iodate-iodide titrating solution (in acid medium resulting in a 5 × 10-3N I2 solution with a molar iodide to iodine ratio of 1.5) is 0.4ml./min. Amylose molecules of, e.g., DPn = 1380 consist of an average of 11.4 segments having a DP of about 120 and consisting of an average of 15-18 helical turns.

Notes: The electrochemical possibilities for investigation of nucleic acids with high molecular weight are restricted to the determination of the adsorption behavior. According to our experience the alternating current polarography (Breyer-polarography) is mainly appropriate for the characterization of changes in the secondary structure of DNA. The Breyer-polarogram shows the alternating current of the dropping electrode in dependence on their potential which varied from 0-2 v. negative against the normal calomel electrode (NCE). By addition of native DNA to the supporting electrolyte (buffer solution) the current drops down in the range of adsorption between 0 and 1 v. At 1.16 v. against NCE the desorption takes place together with the formation of a rounded desorption peak. The investigation was carried out in phosphate buffer solution 0.1m with 0.075m NaCl or in a phosphate buffer 0.18m with 0.03m NaCl. In the pH range above pH 8 NaOH was added to realize the higher pH values. A calf thymus DNA sample having a mean molecular weight of about 18 million was used. The concentration of DNA was 5 × 10-3-1 × 10-1 wt.-%. The polarographic measurements were performed with an a.c./d.c.-polarograph “GWP 564” from Akademiewerkstätten für Forschungsbedarf der Deutschen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin (DAW). The denaturation of the double helix causes a sharp desorption peak at negative potentials of the alternating current polarogram. This new criterion for the helix-coil transition is due to formation of unpaired bases. These nearly free bases undergo a specific adsorption and the desorption takes place within a narrow potential range. Nevertheless, at present time an electron transfer to particular bases cannot be excluded at special conditions. The increase of the sharp peak permits to estimate: (a) the melting curve of the double helix in agreement with spectroscopic measurements; (b) the photolysis of the double helix; (c) the strand separation in acid and alkaline solution. In the alkaline range the sharp peak increases and reaches its maximum at pH 〉 12. In the acid range, however, no sharp peak is observed and the rounded desorption peak decreases. Therefore, the best way of following the conformation changes is to measure the current difference between the curves of the solutions with and without DNA at electrocapillary-zero-potential. On the classical d.c.-polarogram one can measure small current steps only, which may be caused mainly by capacity changes. Moreover, the scission of the molecule by ultrasonic action can be followed. In this case the rounded peak of DNA increases but the sharp peak does not appear. Similar alternating current polarograms are obtained with poly-A in the native state, because helical and unordered regions coexist in the same molecule. The very rapid indication of these structure changes allows one to carry out kinetic measurements at a fixed potential with this method.

Notes: The theory of Kirkwood for the translational frictional coefficients of structures composed of subunits has been generalized in two ways in order to consider aggregates of nonidentical subunits. One of these generalizations fails when the sizes of subunits are too disparate; the other, derived from a surface shell distribution of frictional elements, is effective over the whole range of relative sizes. It is shown that, in the limit of a continuous surface distribution, a shell model reproduces Stoke's law for a sphere. Comparison is made between the frictional coefficients of spheres, ellipsoids, and rods modeled by finite numbers of subunits and by continuous shells of frictional elements, and those calculated from other theories. Agreement is generally good, though the shell model for prolate ellipsoids of revolution deviates by a few per cent from the Perrin value.

Notes: The method of matrix rank analysis has been applied to a large body of experimental data to determine and identify the minimum number of independent spectral components that, were contained within it. The optical rotatory dispersion of TMV RNA was measured in the wavelength region 230-350 mμ, for a wide range of temperatures and ionic strengths. Over the whole range of conditions considered, the observed optical rotatory dispersion spectra were found to be a superposition of two basic spectra only. Evidence is put forward relating these spectra to the single-strand and double-strand helical forms of the molecule. A model is proposed to explain the observed spectral changes in terms of an equilibrium between these two conformations, which leads to a direct calculation of the percentage composition of the double strand at any of the conditions considered. This equilibrium, while simple in general description, appears multi-state and complex in detail. This method of analysis is both powerful and of wide applicability, since it is independent of the source of the data.

Notes: An infinite series solution to the Mason-Weaver equation is presented for the case in which a synthetic boundary is formed originally between solution and solvent. Digital computations based on this series, and confirmed independently, have been made for a range of parameters. For given conditions, the maximum rate of change of concentration at the meniscus and the time at which it occurs can be easily estimated by means of the curves presented. In equilibrium experiments which commence with formation of a sharp boundary, this enables the fringes to be identified with certainty.

Notes: The course of the reversible helix formation of poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) (PBG) dissolved in a mixture of dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) was followed by measuring the heat capacity and the optical rotation of the system through the transition region. The results of these measurements indicate that the transition enthalpy ΔH the transition temperature Tc, and the Zimm-Bragg parameter σ depend considerably on the PBG concentration as well as on the composition of the solvent. For the standard state of infinite dilution, however, a linear extrapolation of the measured ΔH if values results in a standard value ΔH° = 950 cal./mole, independent of the solvent composition. The results of the calorimetric measurements are discussed in relationship to changes in optical rotation. Some peculiarities in the measured thermodynamic and optical properties in solutions with relatively high content of dichloroacetic acid are reported.

Notes: Helical conformations of infinite polymer chains may be described by the helical parameters, d and θ (the translation along the helix axis and the angle of rotation about the axis per repeat unit), pi (the distance of the ith atom from the axis), dij, and dij (the translation along the axis and the angle of rotation, respectively, on passing from the ith atom to the jth). A general method has been worked out for calculating all those helical parameters from the bond lengths, bond angles, and internal-rotation angles. The positions of the main chain and side chain atoms with respect to the axis may also be calculated. All the equations are applicable to any helical polymer chain and are readily programmed for electronic computers. A method is also presented for calculating the partial derivatives of helical parameters with respect to molecular parameters.

Notes: A dilatometric technique is employed to measure the volume changes occurring on denaturation of collagen solutions and tendons. Partial specific volumes of tropocollagen are calculated to be 0.686 ml./g. in water and 0.689 ml/g in 0.1M citrate buffer. From data on non-aqueous solutions, it is estimated that most of the volume change arises from changes in polymer configuration rather than from changes in solvation.

Notes: We have generated solutions to the Lamm equation to examine the effects of concentration dependence on velocity experiments. Two forms of c dependence are considered: s/s0 = 1 - kc and s/s0 = (1 + kc)-1. Features of these solutions are discussed. The magnitude of the errors resulting from the usual procedure of measuring the rate of movement of schlieren maxima or of the position at which the concentration is one half the plateau value have been examined. These errors are usually negligible after sufficient centrifugation time. The errors in using the half-plateau concentration are less than those using the movement of the peak. We have also examined a technique due to Fujita for determining D from boundary spreading when s/s0 = (1+kc)-1. This method is satisfactory when s/s0 is actually of this form, or under certain limitations when s/s0 = (1 + kc)-1. Creeth has shown that under certain conditions the concentration gradient, curve remains virtually unchanged in shape after separating from the meniscus. When this occurs it is possible to estimate s/D from the data. The condition for such a steady state is that kc0 be sufficiently large. Numerical confirmation of this method is presented in the final section.

Notes: Preliminary experiments have been carried out which measure the variation in the intensity of the light scattered by DNA solutions under the influence of an electric field. Data have been collected on the length of DNA molecules, their electric polarizability, and their dispersion behavior.

Notes: Information concerning the structures of rA-rU, rA-rU2 rI-rC, rA-rI2, and acid rA helices in solutions is reported. Through the use of diquaternary ammonium salts of the general structure, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm R}_1 {\rm R}_2 {\rm R}_3 \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + ({\rm CH}_2 )n\mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + {\rm R}_1 {\rm R}_2 {\rm R}_3 \cdot 2{\rm Br}^ - $\end{document} (I), it is shown that (1) the distances between adjacent negatively charged oxygen atoms on the helix increases in the following order rA-rI2 〈 rI-rC 〈 rA-rU ≤ rA-rU2; (2) the density of the helices increases in the order. rA-rI2 〈 rA-rU 〈 rA-rU2 〈 rI-rC; (3) there is a large hydrophobia site in rA-rI2 and possibly also in rA-rU, rA-rU2, and rI-rC helices; (4) the results of the interactions between the salts of type I and the helices may be formulated in semi-quantitative terms by the use of two parameters, α, and β which are shown to be related to the charge separation and the density of the helices, respectively; (5) the studies in solutions compare favorably with the x-ray studies on the fibers; and (6) the acid rA helix differs significantly from the other helices by the fact that the electrostatic interstrand interactions between the negatively charged oxygen atom of a phosphate group and the positively charged 10-amino group of adenine contribute significantly to the stabilization of the helix, and thus it is found that the presence of the salts, I, leads to a significant destabilization of the acid rA helix.

Notes: The half molecules of 186 DNA have been isolated by the Hg(II)-Cs2SO4 density gradient centrifugal ion technique. The buoyant densities of the two halves in CsCI at 25°C. are 1.713 and 1.709 g./cm.3, corresponding to GC contents of 54% and 50%, respectively. Similarly, 5-bromouracil labeled λ DNA halves were separated. The isolation of the four DNA halves made it possible to test for homology in base sequences between the cohesive ends of λ and those of 186. There was no indication of any significant homology in base sequences between the cohesive ends of the two DNA's, as indicated by the absence of a band with intermediate buoyant density in CsCI when either half of 186 DNA was annealed with either half of 5-bromouracil labeled λ DNA and then centrifuged. The lack of cohesion between the two DNA's made it possible to demonstrate unequivocally the formation of interlocked rings (catenanes) between the two DNA's. The existence of a dimeric catenane is evidenced by the formation of a species of intermediate buoyant density when 5-bromouracil labeled λ DNA is cyclized in the presence of cyclic 186 DNA of a relatively high concentration. The molecular weight of one DNA relative to the other can be calculated from the position of the dimeric catenane in a density gradient by using the method of Baldwin. The result was in complete agreement with our previous measurements from the sedimentation coefficients and by electron microscopy. The probability of dimeric catenane formation when one DNA is cyclized in the presence of another DNA is discussed. The experimental results agree with the theoretical expectation.

Notes: Sterically allowed forms of the poly-N-methyl-L-alanine chain were found by calculation of conformational energies as a function of the rotation angles of its chain bonds. The lowest energy form seems to be a right-handed, approximately threefold helix.

Notes: Oriented amylose fibers in the V form were prepared and subjected to x-ray analysis. Unit cells and the probable space group of P212121 were determined for the V anhydrous and V hydrate forms of amylose; the analysis confirms previous predictions of these structures based on x-ray powder patterns. Chain folding in V amyloses is discussed in view of crystallographic evidence and folding experiments conducted with space-filling models. Reported also is evidence for amylose helices having diameters intermediate between 13.0 and 13.7 A.

Notes: Conformational energies of the poly-N-methyl-L-alanine chain have been calculated as a function of the rotational angles of its skeletal bonds, taking into account torsional potentials, van der Waals repulsions, and London attractions. Four pronounced minima in the energy were found; the relative magnitudes of the energies at these minima suggest that the preferred conformation of this chain is either a right-handed, approximately threefold helix, or a slightly distorted, left-handed α-helix. Inclusion of an estimate of the dipolar contribution to the total conformational energy does not significantly affect this conclusion.

Notes: The equilibrium normality [If] of free iodine in amylose-iodine complex formation is a function of the length of the polyiodine chains. This length depends on the DP of helical segments of amylose (sDPn). Values of [If] and of the concentration of the bound iodine [Ib] were determined by the continuous photometric titration with automatic recording. Plots of [Ib] versus [If] give an integral distribution curve. Since the relation between [If] and sDPn is known, the graphic differentiation of the [Ib] versus [lf] curve furnishes the differential distribution curve, representing the mass distribution of the helical segments according to their DP. The peak of this curve is characteristic of the percentage and DP of those helical segments, which occur in the largest amount. On the basis of the differential distribution curve the polymolecularity of the investigated sample may be judged. The titration of amylose samples degraded by various methods gives different distribution curves. Titrating mixtures of samples with widely differing average DP values results in differential curves having more than one maximum.

Notes: The electronic absorption and circular dichroism spectra of the DNA-acridine orange complex have been measured over a range of ionic strength, pH, and DNA phosphate to dye (P/D) ratios. Three circular dichroism bands associated with the long wavelength absorption band of acridine orange are induced on complex formation with DNA. Two of the dichroism bands, due mainly to dimeric dye molecules, are favored by low ionic strength, low pH (3.2), and a low P/D ratio (∼3), while the third, deriving primarily from monomeric dye, is optimum at high ionic strength, neutral pH, and a larger P/D ratio (9). The data suggest that monomeric acridine orange binds to DNA in the form of a left-handed helical array with four dye molecules per turn, while the bound dimer has a skewed sandwich conformation which is itself dissymmetric. The stereochemical relations between the bound monomer dye and the DNA are consistent with a modified intercalation model for the DNA-acridine complex.

Notes: The degree of helicity θ of a series of homologous polypeptides as a function of solvent composition was investigated. The polypeptides studied were: poly-N5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-glutamine (PHPG) as well as the corresponding 2-hydroxyethyl and 4-hydoxybutyl derivatives (PHKG and PHBG, respectively). PHPG, which is nonhelical in formic acid, attains helicity on addition of relatively small amounts of formates, formamide, and urea to its solution in formic acid. This demonstrates that the high acidity of pure formic acid is largely responsible for its helix-breaking power-probably through protonation of the peptide bonds. In formic acid-water mixtures all three polymers show a maximum in degree of helicity at a mole fraction of about 0.3 formic acid. This is interpreted as being due to interaction between the two helix-breaking solvents, which results in the formation of an inactive molecular species. It is shown that solvent-induced transitions with helicity maxima are predicted by the Bixon-Lifson treatment when applied to this system.

Notes: In aqueous solutions of the amylase-iodine complex the concentration of free iodine [If]v after reaching equilibrium (or closely approximating it) is determined by the following factors: temperature, pH, concentration of iodide ions and amylose, and DP of amylose. In the present paper the role of temperature, amylose concentration, and DP has been investigated. At half-saturation of amylose by iodine, the reciprocal value of free iodine defines the equilibrium constant: 1/[If]v = K. The relation between [If]v, in normality and temperature is the following: 5 + log [If]v = -(2.132/T) + 8.52, for DPn = 1290, 0.4 mg. amylose in 100 ml. 0.1N HCl. The value of the energy of activation Ea between 2 and 52°C. is 9.72 kcal./mole. The influence of amylose concentration [Am] on photometrically determined [If]v, at 20°C, in the range of 0.1-1.2 mg./100 ml. 0.1 N HCl for DPn = 1290 is: 5 + log [If]v = 0.209 - 0.047 log [Am]. At [Am] = 0.6 mg. amylose/ 100 ml. 0.1 N HCl and 20°C, the value of [If]v depends on DPn as follows: 5 + log [If]v = 0.085 = + 0.222 log (104/DPn). These above equations are summarized by the relation: [If]v = exp {16.865 - (Ea/RT)}[Am]0.047(104/DPn)0.222 ×10-5 Considering that the determination of [If]v by automatic photometric titration can be performed quickly and with appropriate reproducibility, this method is convenient for a rapid empirical and approximate determination of DP of amylose on a microscale. The iodine-binding capacity [IBC] as well as the value of λmax, have been also investigated as functions of DPn, by photometric and by amperometric titration.

Notes: Dielectric properties of human and horse hemoglobin were studied at frequencies ranging from 20 kc./sec. to 7 Mc./sec. The relative errors in the measurements were usually less than 10-3 even for mildly conducting solutions (10-3M KCl). The experimental setup allowed us variation and measurement of the degree of oxygenation of the protein and to determine its dielectric parameters. Our main conclusion is that it was not possible to find any variation of the dielectric increment for hemoglobin oxygenation levels of 25, 50, 75, and 100%, approximately. This result is at variance with some previous reports. We cannot give the reason for this discrepancy but discuss some possible explanations. The specific dielectric increment, Δεs/c, of human hemoglobin was shown to be significantly smaller than that of horse hemoglobin (0.28 against 0.32). This physical property is lowered with increasing ionic strength I: Δεs/c = 0.28 and 0.20 for I = 10-4 and 10-3, respectively (human protein).

Notes: The transient electric birefringence behavior of bacteriophage T2 and the T2 ghost or protein coal was studied. The field free relaxation measurements show both the intact virus and its ghost to have two rotary diffusion coefficients. These coefficients have values of 555 ± 54 and 111 ± 22 sec.-1 for the intact virus and 688 ± 89 and 161 ± 29 sec.-l for the ghost. The equivalent ellipsoids for the fast and slow relaxation coefficients were obtained by use of Perrin's equation and were related to the bacteriophage structure in terms of a possible extension of the tail fibers or an enlargement of the head structure. The saturation of the specific birefringence of the phage and the ghost when compared with the specific birefringence of the free nucleic acid gave an average optical orientation of 10 to 18% of the nucleic acid parallel to the main axis of the phage. The analysis of the birefringence versus applied field strength in the Kerr region gave the following values for the anisotropy of the polarixability. αe,33 - αe,11 and intrinsic dipole, μ, of both phage and ghost : for T2 phage αe,33 - αe,11 = 5.0 × 10-14 cm.3 and μ = 64,400 Debyes; for T2 ghost αe,33 - αe,11 = 7.9 × 10-14cm.3 and μ = 57,200 Debyes. The high intrinsic dipole for phage and ghost is interpreted as to be associated with the mechanisms of the virus for attachment, to the host cell wall.

Notes: The hydration of several polyacids has been investigated with special attention to the effects of neighboring charged groups and hydrophobic groups on the hydration regions. The molar volume change due to the structural change of water by the hydration was obtained by the method of refractivity measurement. The polyacids employed were poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(L-glutamic acid), and a copolymer of maleic acid and vinyl acetate. The measurement of the refractive index was performed for the solutions of these polymers neutralized to varying degrees by tetrabutyl-ammonium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. The results confirm the characteristics of the previous model of the hydration of polyelectrolytes, that is, the cooperative action of neighboring charged groups induce the second hydration region in addition to the intrinsic hydration region. The stiff structure of water in these regions restricts the mobility of counterions forced to enter into these regions by the strong electrostatic potential of polyions. The results indicate also that hydrophobic groups induce an additional hydration region around their neighboring charged groups. Small but negative volume changes were observed for conformational changes of poly(L-glutamic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid) induced by the neutralization of carboxyl groups.

Notes: The heat of solution of a series of three polyglutamates as a function of solvent composition was measured. The abrupt increase in heat of solution at the solvent composition of the helix-coil transition (as evidenced by optical rotation data) allows the estimation of the transition enthalpy change. The difference of side chain in the three polyglutamates has no appreciable effect on the transition enthalpy, although it affects the helix stability, as judged from the solvent composition at the transition points. These facts are discussed on the basis of existing models of the transition.

Notes: Single crystals of poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) were formed by epitaxial crystallization from solution in mesitylene on NaCl, KI, and KCl (001) cleavage faces. From electron microscopy and diffraction studies, the structure of these overgrowths was determined to be that of lamellae containing chain-folded α-helical macromolecules. The usual type of crystal perfection, that of ordered helix axes and disordered side groups, was exhibited by this synthetic polypeptide. Unique orientation regimes were observed with each substrate.

Notes: As a model for a variety of reaction processes on long chain molecules, for example, helix formation, a kinetic theory on a linear lattice is presented. Each reaction site can undergo reversible transitions between two states (0 and 1) with rates depending on the slate of its nearest neighbors. The system of coupled rate equations for the frequencies of specified runs of 0's and 1's is infinite for an infinite chain. In contrast to the case of irreversible processes, the system cannot, be written down by inspection. A procedure for the systematic derivation of the rate equations is developed which can be programmed on a computer. Explicit expressions for runs up to length four, involving runs up to length five are obtained without recourse to the computer. For the solution of the rate equations a closure must necessarily be imposed, and a possible procedure is pointed out. Furthermore the equilibrium relations following from the model are considered. The well-known equilibrium results for nearest-neighbor interactions represent a special case of these equations.

Notes: Measurements of specific heat of wool-water systems were made at approximately 5°C intervals over the temperature range -70 to 100°C. Ten different, samples were used, each with a different amount of absorbed water in the range from dry ness to saturation at 0°C. The graph of specific heat against temperature for dry wool is precisely linear over the complete temperature range, suggesting that thermal motion is entirely vibrational. When absorbed water is present the data can be conveniently discussed in terms of behavior below and above an amount of absorbed water of 22.7 g in 100 g of wool (22.7% of absorbed water). Below 22.7% there is only one temperature range in which the results indicate an appreciable transition in heat absorbing properties. The temperature of transition depends on water content but is higher than 0°C. Above 22.7% a second transition appears in the range -30 to 0°C and grows rapidly larger with increase of water content. The first transition is tentatively ascribed to a slightly cooperative breakdown of polar bonds in wool, and the second to a process analogous to melting in the absorbed water. The results are discussed in these terms as well as with reference to specific heat theories, the heat absorption of the wool component and the water component, and enthalpy differences between the various samples.

Notes: Dielectric relaxation of poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) in solution has been studied in the 5 kcps-10 Mcps range for various values of the helix content. The results give first experimental evidence for three effects of major significance. (1) The system exhibits dielectric relaxation due to a chemical rate process (namely helix formation). This confirms recent theoretical predictions. (2) The mean relaxation time τ* of the helix-coil transition could be evaluated as a function of the degree of transition. The results are in excellent agreement with a previously developed theory. At the midpoint of transition it is found τ*max = 5 × 10-7 sec. The elementary process of helical growth turns out to be practically diffusion-controlled (with a rate constant of hydrogen bond formation of 1.3 × 1010 sec-1). (3) There is a considerable electric field effect of the helix-coil transition. This indicates that conformation changes in biological systems could be potentially caused by direct action of an electric field.

Notes: The interaction of unsubstituted purine with polyuridylic acid in D2O solution at neutral pD has been studied by high resolution proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The poly U proton resonances were shifted to higher fields by the added purine, indicating that purine binds to the uracil bases of the polymer by base stacking. Severe broadening of the purine proton resonances was also observed, providing strong evidence for the intercalation of purine between adjacent uracil bases of the polymer. The line widths of the poly U proton resonances were not noticeably broadened in the presence of purine; thus, the binding of purine to poly U does not result in a more rigid or ordered structure for the polymer.

Notes: Polyelectrolyte expansion effects on high molecular weight bacteriophage DNA have been studied by examining the influence of simple salt concentration upon the intrinsic viscosity, [η]. The viscosity-molecular weight exponent a in the expression [η] = KMa diminishes from 0.8 in 0.005M simple salt to a limiting value of 0.6 for salt concentrations greater than 0.6M at 25°C. The ε parameter of the N1+ε hydrodynamic representation thus varies from approximately 0.2-0.07 over this range of salt concentration. The intrinsic, viscosity of DNA decreases slightly with increasing temperature at low and moderate salt concentrations but becomes independent of temperature at high salt concentrations. The expansion of the DNA molecular domain is linear in the reciprocal square root of the simple salt concentration. Viscosity differences among DNA's isolated from several bacteriophage T5 mutants reflect small differences in molecular weight which are in agreement, with sine determination by other techniques. The DNA's isolated from various rII mutants of T4 bacteriophage including some very large deletion mutations were found to be identically the same size in accord with current genetic ideas. Details of the representation and extrapolation of viscosity data are discussed and the sensitivity of the technique is evaluated.

Notes: Infrared spectra in the region 4000-60 cm-1 have been measured for acetylglycine N-methylamide and its deuterium homologs, CD3CONHCH2CONHCH3, CH3-CONHCD2CONHCH3, CH2CONHCH2CONHCD3, and CH3CONDCH2CONDCH3. Normal frequencies have also been calculated for these molecules with various conformations. The spectra show that this compound has two crystalline modifications, form A and form B. The frequencies and their isotope shifts show that the molecular conformation (Ψ, φ) of form B is near (0, 120) and that of form A near (180, 120). The short-range factors determining the conformation of peptide backbone having glycine residues are discussed.

Notes: The objective have been to establish if those ions which are known to change the stability of the structure of proteins, have any influence on the properties of ionizable polypeptides. Potentiometric titrations and complementary optical rotation data are presented for aqueous solutions of poly-L-lysine (PLL) in the presence of KSCN, KCl, and KF, and for poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLGA) in the presence of KSCN, KCl, and LiCl. The following measured quantities which are affected by salt concentration were obtained: intrinsic pK (pK0), slope of pKapp versus degree of ionization (α) curves, the degree of ionization at which the helix to coil transition occurs, and the free energy of this transition for the uncharged molecule (δG°hel). The effects of nonspecific salts (KCl and LiCl for PLL and KSCN and KCl for PLGA) are small, and about, as expected from general electrostatic considerations. In line with the observations made with isoelectric and cat ionic collagen, specific, effects were noted with KSCN-PLL and with LiCl-PLGA. In the presence of KSCN, the poly-L-lysine helix becomes stabilized at much lower degree of ionization than in the presence of KCl, and the slope of the pKapp versus α plots is greatly reduced. However, ΔG°hel (for the uncharged molecule) is not affected, and pK0 is only slightly higher. We interpret these data in terms of binding of SCN- primarily to the side-chain amino groups (both to R—NH3+ and to R—NH2) solutions. (L-glutamic acid) in LiCl solution has its transition at the same α value as in KCl solution. However, both the slopes of the pKapp versus α plots and the absolute values of ΔG°hel are lower than in KCl solution. We interpret these results in terms of binding of Li+ to side chains as well as to the peptide bond.

Notes: Density increments (∂ρ/∂c2)°μ in solutions of NaDNA in NaCl and CsDNA in CsCl were determined over a wide range of salt concentrations; calf thymus DNA, fragmented by sonic irradiation to a molecular weight of 4-6 × 105 was used. The partial specific volume v̄2° of NaDNA at 25°C was found to ho 0.500 ml/g in water, and that of CsDNA 0.440 ml/g. Both values increase with increasing NaCl and CsCl concentration. Refractive index increments under various experimental conditions were also determined. The relevance of the density increments (at constant, chemical potential of diffusible solutes) to equilibrium sedimentation in a density gradient and the evaluation of molecular weights is discussed. Distribution coefficients of diffusible components, sometimes referred to as preferential solvation or net hydration, were derived from the density increments and partial volumes and compared with direct experimental results, whenever available, from membrane distribution and isopiestic distillation. The thermo-dynamic significance of the distribution coefficients as well as possible interpretations in terms of specific molecular mechanisms are considered.

Notes: A model for hemoglobin is proposed and its application to allosteric enzymes is discussed with particular reference to asparate transcarbamylase. The main assumptions made are that the molecule is composed of subunits and that occupation of a sub-unit produces a conformational change which affects the occupational probability of neighboring subunits. The results compare favorably with experiment and a number of specific predictions are made for aspartate transcarbamylase.

Notes: Complexes of amylose with n-butanol were prepared both as crystalline precipitates and as oriented fibers. These complexes were subjected to x-ray analysis, their unit cells were calculated, and the space group of P212121 was confirmed. n-Butanol complexes exist in both hydrated and anhydrous forms. There is no evidence for methanol, ethanol, or n-propanol structures similar to those shown by the n-butanol complex. The Complexes are unstable in the open air and revert to V-amylose hydrate on standing.

Notes: Collagen fibers were contracted “chemically,” i.e., by transferring them from water into KCNS solutions either isometrically or isotonically. Both changes in force and fiber length and in salt and water contents were measured as functions of time. The mechanical changes were found to follow the diffusional processes. The diffusion of water exhibited a plasmolytie effect. The role of water in the melting process is discussed.

Notes: The correlation between mechanical and chemical Processes in the contractile system collagen fibers-aqueous KCNS sulutions was investigated. Melting and contraction of the fibers were induced by applying a force sufficiently high as to prevent melting in a KCNS solution and then decreasing it either suddenly, or continuously at a constant rate. The kinetics of both processes are characterized by an initial rapid elastic response of the crystalline collagen, followed by a stationary region. The force-velocity relationship in this region was found to be the same under different types of mechanical deformations. It is probable that under the prevailing conditions, the behavior in the stationary state is determined by the melting process and is not markedly influenced by diffusional changes. Part of the experimental data could be explained by assuming a linear, rigid model or, better, by taking into account the highly elastic properties of the amorphous collagen. The kinetic, unit seems to be composed of several hundred amino acid residues.

Notes: The dynamic elastic behavior of collagen fibers treated by LiBr solutions was studied by the method of free longitudinal vibrations. The frequency response functions and the stress-strain relationship were evaluated for fibers denatured to different extents by various concentrations of the salt solution. The James and Guth model for rubber elasticity was applied to the experimental data. The elastometric parameter β, which is a measure of the degree of folding of the macromolecular chains, was found to decrease on increasing the salt concentration. It might thus serve as a characteristic of the degree of denaturation of fibrillar proteins.

Notes: Sodium hyaluronate (NaHy) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) behave similarly with respect to concentration.N 3 of an added 1 : 1 electrolyte. The second virial coefficient A2 (light scattering) is identical within experimental error at a given.N 3. The limiting viscosity number [η] also varies with N3-1/2in similar fashion for samples of similar [η] of the two polymers. Differences in Na+ activity in salt-free solutions are interpreted on the basis of weaker Na+ binding in NaHy, presumably due to the greater charge separation along its chain backbone. Added electrolyte is excluded in dialysis more strongly by NaHy (or its acid form) than by NaCMC. The Flory parameter Φ is smaller in good solvents for NaHy, as for many other polyelectrolytes, than for nonionic polymers.

Notes: In order to test theoretical predictions that poly-L-valine can exist in an α-helical conformation, water-soluble block copolymers of L-valine and D, L-lysine were prepared. By carrying out the synthesis on a resin support (with the use of N-carboxyanhydrides) contamination of the individual blocks by any unreacted monomer from the previous block was avoided. A single glycine residue was incorporated at the C-terminus of the chain for use in amino acid analyses. Using optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism criteria, about 50% of the short valine block of (D, L-lysine HCl)18-(L-valine)15-(D, L-lysine-HCl)16-glycine was found to be in the right-handed α-helical conformation in 98% aqueous methanol, in water, the polymer appears to be a dimer, with the valine block being involved in the formation of an intermolecular β-structure.

Notes: Calculations of the dependence of the conformational energy and the rotational strength of the amide n-π* electronic transition (in a series of α-helical polyhel-α- amino acids with different side chains) on conformation have been carried out. The conformational energies were computed by procedures developed in this laboratory; the computation of rotational strengths was carried out by the method of Schellman and Oriel, with a slight modification. Polyamino acids with both nonpolar and polar side chains were considered; in the latter case, it was assumed that the only influence of the polar side chain was on the backbone conformation and on the electrostatic field which perturbs the amide chromophore of the backbone. Only conformations in the range of backbone dihedral angles of the right- and left-handed a-helices were considered, and the assumption of regularity (i.e., uniformity of dihedral angles in every residue) was made. The rotational strength per residue was found to vary markedly with chain length (in oligomers of up to 40 residues long); both the conformational energy per residue and the rotational strength per residue were found to vary significantly with the backbone conformation, which in turn depends on the nature of the side chain. The geometry of the hydrogen bond in the α-helical backbone is the most important factor which influences the dependence of the rotational strength on conformation. The implications of these results, for the interpretation of experimental circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion data, are discussed.

Notes: Heat-denatured DNA from HeLa cells interacts with natural as well as synthetic polysaccharides. Glucose does not inhibit the interaction nor will it produce it. Polysaccharides with a molecular weight of 10000 or greater are required before the interaction takes place.

Notes: A series of copolymers of β-p-nitrobenzyl L-aspartate with β-benzyl L-aspartate and with β-mcthyl L-aspartatc in helix-supporting and helix-breaking conditions have been reexamined by using ultraviolet isotropic, absorption, optical rotatory dispersion, and circular dichroism techniques. Many different conformations are apparent, depending on solvent and temperature. Chloroform, trifluoroethanol, and methylene dichloride support the left-handed helical conformation of the copolymers containing less than about 20 mole-% nitroaromatic residues and the right-handed helical conformation of the copolymers containing more than approximately 30 mole-% nitroaromatic residues. In trifluoroacetic acid all the copolymers are in a random-coil conformation. In hexa-fluoroacetone trihydrate and in trimethyl phosphate, the copolypeptides with low nitroaromatic residues content are predominantly in a disordered conformation, while those with high nitroaromatic residues content show a right-handed helical array. Reversible helix-ramlom-coil transitions are observed with increasing temperature in trimethyl phosphate. An example of right-handed-left-handed helix reversible transition with temperature is reported in a chloroform-trimethyl phosphate (2:1) mixture. Nitrobenzyl-nilrobenzyl side-chain interactions in chloroform, but not in trifluoroacetic acid or in trimethyl phosphate, have been confirmed. For the first time we report the circular dichroism spectra in which the n-π* peptide band of a left-handed helical conformation is almost completely evident.

Notes: The dichroic ratios of T5st-O and T2H bacteriophage DNA molecules were measured throughout the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. Two methods of DNA orientation were studied: (1) orientation in solution in a Shimadzu flow dichroism instrument attached to a Beckman DU spectrophotometer, and (2) alcohol precipitation of the DNA from solution and orientation in a thin film on the quartz face of a humidity chamber. Spectra in the latter case were recorded using a Gary Model 14 spectrophotomcter fitted with Glan prisms. The lower wavelength limit was 215 mμ in both systems. The DNA preparations were carefully characterized as to spectral purity, sedimentation coefficient, hyperchromicity, protein content, and DNA content. In addition, the structure of the DNA oriented in films was inferred from x-ray diffraction patterns of fibers of the precipitated DXA. The A and B configurations of DNA in films could not be distinguished by the dichroic ratio measuiements. The dichroic ratio obtained for the film-oriented DNA at high relative humidity shows the same wavelength dependence as for the flow-oriented DNA. The same wavelength dependence for DNA in the fibrous state and in solution, when considered together with the x-ray diffract ion results, indicates that DNA in solution maintains an orientation of bases which is similar to that in fibers. I1Or both solutions and films of DNA, the dichroic ratio is constant from 290mμ to 240 mμ and increases at wavelengths below 240 mμ. The increased parallel absorption below 240 mμ is consistent with the existence of an n→π* transition. The inherent molecular dichroic ratio is found to be the same for T5st-O DNA and T2H DNA in solution, and is a maximum of 0.09 ± 0.02 at 260 mμ.

Notes: This paper gives a very simple method based on the characteristic property of the electric free energy to calculate the repulsive force between parallel rodlike macroions in a solution as a function of the charge density on rods. The total extensive force (∂f/∂X) of an assembly of m rods of length l and charge number n (charge density - neo /l) at small extension X in the absence of low molecular sals is given by where z is the valency of counterions and Q (= neO2/εkTl) is a dimensionless quantity representing the charge density. The repulsion between two parallel rods is given by putting m = 2. At large charge densities the repulsion is very much smaller than the direct coulomb force between charged rods, even at small distances. The addition of low molecular salts does not depress the repulsion appreciably, as long as the average concentration of salt ions is much smaller than the concentration of counterions accumulated in the space between rods. The effect of fluctuation of the coumerion distribution is also analyzed, and it is found that the attractive force due to the ion fluctuation may predominate over the above repulsive force in the case of polyvalent counterions and rods of high charge densities at small distances.

Notes: An expression is derived for the melting point of a polymer when in equilibrium with a solution in which binding of low molecular weight compounds to the polymer takes place. Allowance is made for the possibility that the crystalline polymer itself is a complex. The argument is a purely thermodynamic one and is based on a consideration of the change in free energy as a result of a change in binding. Allowance is made also for non-specific polymer-solvent interactions, in which the mixture of low molecular weight solvents is treated as a single solvent. Special attention is paid to “inverted” melting transitions, i.e., cases in which the melting point increases with increasing dilution of the polymer. It is shown that as a rule this is accompanied by a corresponding, inverted effect of the solvent composition on the melting point. It is further shown that-in the absence of binding, “normal” behavior at the critical point (i.e., phase separation is induced by lowering the temperature) is always accompanied by “normal” melting behavior (i.e., a decrease in melting point when the polymer is diluted). Also, “inverted” melting always implies that phase separation at the critical point is induced by heating, but the reverse is not necessarily true.

Notes: The matrix method of statistical mechanics is used to calculate equilibria for the binding of small molecules to polymers. When there is only one kind of binding site the problem is simple; some examples are given for illustrative purposes. If, however, the binding sites are not all equivalent and the bound molecules interact or interfere with each other, the problem is no longer trivial, being formally analogous with calculation of the helix-coil transition equilibrium in a heterogeneous polypeptide. Particular difficulties arise when the sequence of binding sites is aperiodic; most naturally occurring materials fall in this class. The purpose of this paper is to point out that problems of this type are readily solved with good accuracy by use of random-number methods on a high-speed digital computer. One such calculation is presented for illustration. The methods developed are applicable to such systems as the binding of actinomycin, Hg-, and acridine dyes to DNA.

Notes: The aggregated form of poly(L-glutamic acid) can be isolated by gel permeation chromatography, whereby it was found that in a polydispersed sample the lower molecular weight fractions precipitate preferentially and the higher fractions tend instead to aggregate. In addition, aggregation has the effect of retarding or inhibiting precipitation.

Notes: The instability of aqueous solutions of poly(α-L-glutamic acid) (PGA) at low pH is due to two distinguishable phenomena: precipitation, favored above 40°C., and aggregation, favored below 20°C. The aggregated form of PGA can be isolated by gel permeation chromatography. Both aggregation and precipitation increase with decreasing pH, i.e., with decreasing ionization of the side chain carboxyl groups. Temperature-induced aggregation and disaggregation give rise to a reproducible hysteresis loop which can be followed by optical rotation, light scattering, sedimentation, viscosity, and chromatography. Hysteresis has been observed with different PGA samples, and in several aqueous buffered or unbuffered solvents and organic-aqueous solvent mixtures and in the pH range 4.1-4.5. Aggregation manifests itself as an increase in negative optical rotation in the visible and ultraviolet spectral range. The specific relation at 233 mμ is sensitive to aggregation and also reflects the hysteresis. Measurements of optical rotatory dispersion indicate that a0 reflects the hysteresis but b0 does not, the latter revealing only reversible changes with aggregation and disaggregation. The helix-coil equilibrium is apparently unperturbed by aggregation, as is the thermal stability of the helix structure. For fully aggregated PGA it is estimated that a0 increases by about 300 degrees, which suggests that a0 may be a sensitive parameter to measure aggregation in other systems. The rate of aggregation increases with decreasing temperature. The disaggregation, upon heating, is more rapid. However, kinetics measurements have not yet been done. The temperature M at which all aggregates are disrupted increases with decreasing pH, but is independent of total PGA concentration, at constant pH. No molecular weight dependence of M was detected in the range 20-100 × 103. The shape and size of the hysteresis loop depends upon pH and molecular weight, which is interpreted as a dependence on the extent of aggregation. One branch of the loop, representing the helix-coil transition of isolated molecules, is reversible, while the others, representing the formation and disruption of the aggregates, are not. The system exhibits both ascending and descending scanning curves, which are typical of a true hysteresis.

Notes: The interaction of hapten (ε-DNP lys) with native and S-sulfonated antibodies specific towards the 2,4-dinitrophenyl group, as well as the interaction with isolated chains and a complex obtained by mixing light, (L) and heavy (H) chains of these antibodies, were followed both by polarography and by equilibrium dialysis. With the S-sulfonated antibodies and with the mixture of H and L chains the binding heterogeneity observed in the original antibodies was much lowered or entirely removed. At the same time, the amount of active proteins in the sample decreased approximately by half. The association constants of modified antibodies were of the same order as the average association constants of the original antibodies. A slow increase of the amounts of hapten bound with proteins was observed on mixing the H and L chains and adding hapten. This slow reactivation was not obtained with the original or S-sulfonated antibodies and with isolated chains. It was shown that the reaction determining the kinetics of this reactivation (the slowest reaction) was not the association of H and L chains but the interaction of complexes of the H and L chains with hapten. It was reported previously that H chains were nonspecifically reactivated by binding L chains. The amount of hapten bound by the complex of H and L chains increased with increasing excess of L chains following a curve resembling the Langmuir isotherm. The limiting value of the amount of hapten bound when using antibody L chains was higher than in the case of nonspecific L chains.

Notes: The rate of breakage by hydrodynamic shear of the cohered ends of λ-DNA molecules has been observed for the circular monomers, joined half molecules, and joined quarter molecules, in a capillary apparatus with known flow parameters. The rate constant for breakage has been measured as a function of shear stress, temperature, ionic strength, and molecular length. There is a large temperature coefficient, with an activation energy of 120 ± 20 kcal./mole. The values of d ln k/dG, where k is the rate constant for breaking and G is shear gradient, in aqueous solution at 25°C. are about 3.8 ± 0.3 × 10-4 see. The shear stresses needed for breakage of joined quarter molecules and of circular monomers, respectively, are about equal, and about half that needed for breakage of joined half molecules. The rate of breakage at a given shear stress increases with decreasing ionic strength, approximately as [Na+]-1.6. Self-protection effects are not observed for opening of circular monomers at a DNA concentration of 5 μg./ml. but are observed for breakage of joined half molecules at concentrations down to 0.5 μg./ml. The large temperature coefficient which is approximately equal to that of the thermal dissociation of the cohered ends is interpreted to mean that shear breakage is a mechanically assisted thermal reaction in which the thermal fluctuations provide most of the free energy of activation for breakage. A detailed model for this interpretation is presented. The self-protection effect implies that those molecules which break are not average molecules but exceptional ones which, due to some fluctuation, are more fully extended in the flow field.

Notes: The dynamic viscoelastic properties of hyaluronic acid solutions have been measured over the frequency range 0.02-1.67 cps. The effects of varying temperature, hyaluronic acid concentration, pH, and ionic strength on the dynamic shear moduli were studied. The solutions exhibited a sharp transition from viscous to elastic behavior as the strain frequency increased. No entanglement coupling of the hyaluronic acid molecules was evident over the concentration range 2.0-4.0 mg./ml. Solutions at pH 2.5 showed a pronounced elastic behavior relative to both higher and lower pH's. This effect was attributed to a stiffening of the hyaluronic acid molecule at this pH.

Notes: The influence on the excess scattering function P(μ) of flutuations in the electron density ρ within a macromolecule is treated, to the approximation that the solvent is a structureless medium of constant electron density ρ0. The results for P(μ) and the apparent value of the mean square radius Rapp2, can be expressed as functions of the excess electron density Δρ: P(μ) = X(μ) + (Δρ)-1Y(μ) + (Δρ)-2Z(μ) and Rapp2 = Rx2 + (Δρ)-1Ry2 + (Δρ)-2Rz2, where X(μ) and Rx2 depend only on the shape of the macromolecule, while Y(μ) and Ry2 as well as Z(μ) and Rz2 depend on the shape and the fluctuations in ρ. By varying the electron density of the solvent, the contributions of the shape and the internal structure of the macromolecule can be resolved. The quantities Rx2, Ry2, and Rz2 are evaluated for seven models to illustrate the relative importance of these contributions for representative structures.

Notes: The chiroptical properties of the cyclic dipeptides cyclo (L-alanyl-L-tyrosine) and cyclo(L-tyrosyl-L-tyrosine) have been investigated as a function of molecular conformation. Theoretical optical calculations and conformational energy calculations have been carried out as a function of the side-chain dihedral angles χ1 and χ2, and as a function of the angle of fold of the cyclic dipeptide backbone. The results of these theoretical calculations have been compared with experimental circular dichroism (CD) data. Theoretical predictions are in very good agreement with experiment for c(L-Tyr-L-Tyr). Agreement was not quite as good for c(L-Ala-L-Tyr), although the signs of all of the Cotton effects were apparently predicted correctly except for that associated with the lowest energy tyrosine absorption band.

Notes: The slow kinetics of annealing processes in multistranded nucleic acids is spectrophotometrically investigated using poly(A)·2poly(U) as a model system. The absorbance changes at specific wavelengths show that double-helical (A·U) base pairs appear as transient intermediates. The annealing process is identified by the enlargement of triple-helical sequences at the cost of (A·U) base pairs and unpaired (U) residues. A large time range in the reorganization of mismatched chain configurations is characterized by a logarithmic dependence on time. This observation is quantitatively described by a kinetic model developed by Jackson. In Jackson's model the rate-limiting process in the slow annealing phase of maximizing triple-helical sequences, is the removal of strand entanglements, knots, and hairpin loops by complete unwinding of those helical stretches which stabilize the mismatched configurations. The results of the present study are briefly discussed in terms of optimum conditions for hybridization experiments and for the preparation of polynucleotide complexes commonly used to produce interferons.

Notes: The effects of anions of neutral salts on the fluorescence emission of six proteins as well as on tryptophan and tyrosine were studied in relation to the structure of proteins. Most anions are good quenchers of tryptophyl and tyrosyl fluorescence, free or in proteins. The results with tryptophan and tyrosine indicate involvement of a collisional quenching mechanism due to agreement with Stern-Volmer law. The deactivation of fluorescence probably occurs because of the transition from singlet state to triplet state. Lehrer's modification of Stern-Volmer law was applied to proteins. The effective quenching constants ([KQ]eff) and the fraction of fluorescence available ([fa]eff) to the quencher are also calculated.In contrast to its effect on tryptophan, CH3COO- quenches tyrosyl fluorescence and ClO4- does not. The effects on fluorescence of ribonuclease and free tyrosine are similar and without any changes in emission maximum. The anions are divided into three groups based on the effect they have on tryptophan-containing proteins. (1) NO3-, NO2-, Br-, and I- have high [KQ]eff values and readily quench tryptophyl fluorescence of proteins causing a shift of emission maximum to a shorter wavelength. This change is due to the specific quenching of “exposed” tryptophan residues which are accessible to quenchers and the observed residual fluorescence is from the “buried” tryptophyls. (2) ClO4- and SCN- also quench fluorescence of tryptophan in proteins and have lower ([KQ]eff) values. In their presence the fluorescence maximum is shifted to a longer wavelength, which indicates the unfolding of a protein with [(fa)eff] = 1. (3) Cl-, CH3COO-, and SO4— do not have a direct effect on the fluorescence of tryptophan. Besides the “direct” effects, “indirect” effects on fluorophors in protein are also seen, pointing out that the neutral salts can interact in more than one manner with proteins. The effectiveness of anions in quenching fluorescence of proteins follows similar sequences which almost resemble the Hofmeister series, viz., SO4=, CH3COO- ≃ Cl- 〈 ClO4- 〈 SCN- 〈 Br- 〈 I- 〈 NO3- 〈 NO2-.

Notes: The influence of pH upon CD spectra of H-Trp-Trp-OH, H-Trp-Trp-Gly-OH, and H-Gly-Trp-Trp-OH is investigated and data are compared with those obtained for peptides containing only one tryptophyl residue. A negative Cotton effect at around 225 nm, which in previous work has been related to an increase of the conformational rigidity in compounds having the sequence -CO-Trp-Trp, is also observed in the case of H-Trp-Trp-OH and H-Trp-Trp-Gly-OH upon deprotonation of the terminal α-amino group. These data, together with observations arising from solvent and temperature effects, give evidence that H-Trp-Trp-OH undergoes a conformational change upon going from acid to alkaline conditions, where the two aromatic side chains become conformationally more rigid relative to each other. This rigidity generates an exciton coupling between the Bb transitions of the two indoles. Hydrophobic forces, including stacking interactions, do not appear important in stabilizing this conformationally rigid structure. Rather, intramolecular electrostatic interactions (e.g., hydrogen bondings or polar interactions between the aromatic side chain and the peptide backbone) as well as interactions with the OH group(s) of the solvent, are suggested to be the salient forces. Possible structures which obey these requisites are discussed.

Notes: The fine structure of the thermal denaturation of viral DNA's was analyzed with the spectral method established by Felsenfeld and Hirschman, and Fresco et al. A fully automated system measuring melting curves at four wavelengths at the same time was developed for this purpose. With this device, (G + C)-contents of melting components of λ DNA's were determined. The correlation between the (G + C)-content and the melting temperature of each melting component is found to be well described by the linear relationship given by Marmur and Doty. The denaturation of each component is regarded as cooperative. The Marmur-Doty relation also stands for the local denaturation of T2 DNA, which has a narrow melting range.

Notes: We have constructed an apparatus for the simultaneous measurement of electrophoretic mobility, μ, and diffusion coefficient, D, of macromolecules and cells. It combines band electrophoresis in a vertical, sucrose-gradient stabilized column, with quasielastic laser light-scattering determination of the diffusion coefficient of the species within the band. The entire electrophoresis cell is scanned through the laser beam of the quasielastic laser light-scattering apparatus by a vertical translation stage. Total intensity light-scattering measurement at each point in the cell gives the macromolecular concentration at that point. Solvent viscosity and electrical potential are measured at each point in the cell. Application of this apparatus to resealed red blood cell ghosts and to bovine hemoglobin indicates that measurements of field, viscosity, and migration distance are reliable, and that electroosmosis is insignificant. Application to T4D bacteriophage gives μ20,w = (-1.05 ± 0.05) × 10-4 cm2/V sec and D20,w = (3.35 ± 0.10) × 10-8 cm2/sec for fiberless particles, and μ20,w = -(0.59 ± 0.03) × 10-4 cm2/V sec and D20,w = (2.86 ± 0.09) × 10-8 cm2/sec for whole phage with 6 fibers. Approximate analysis of these results with the Henry electrophoresis theory for spheres in dicates that each fiber contributes about 193 positive charges to the phage particle, compared with 327 from amino-acid analysis. The advantages and disadvantages of this apparatus, relative to conventional electrophoresis and to electrophoretic light scattering, are discussed.

Notes: Poly(His-Ala-Glu) and poly(Lys-Ala-Glu) were examined by viscosity and potentiometric titration. These measurements were interpreted in terms of the hydrodynamic size of the above sequential polypeptides. Effects of polymer, size and concentration, and solution-salt concentration were demonstrated. Although the sequential polypeptides generally behave like polyampholytes, they do demonstrate some differences. These differences my be attributed to the ability of ionized side chains three residues apart to repel themselves, in the order His 〈 Glu 〈 Lys.

Notes: Proton magnetic resonance spectra of model dipeptide molecules R1-C′1O1-N2H2-C2αH2αR2-C′2O2-N3H3-R3 in CCl4 solutions exhibit splited signals when investigating on mixtures of L and D enantiomers differing from the racemic composition. The major effect is observed on amide proton signals which are the ones most sensitive to the ratio of aggregation. The stereoselective dimerization of enantiomeric molecules in the so-called C5 conformational state is shown to be responsible for such a phenomenon, the intensity of which depends on the bulkiness of the side chain R2. A theoretical approach is proposed which gives predictions in close agreement with our own experimental findings.

Notes: The depolarization thermal current method is applied to the study of the polarization phenomena in the keratin-water system. Three depolarization thermal current peaks have been evidenced in hair keratin. This paper deals with the detailed study of peak II. For the first time, the mechanism responsible for this peak is ascribed to molecular reorientation. The effect of water upon the characteristics of peak II is also described, and an activation energy of 8.4 kcal/mol is computed. These results, in connection with other studies, lead us to interpret peak II as due to the reorientation in the bound or intermediate water molecules. The effect of copper confirms that the carboxyl groups are hydration sites.

Notes: Infrared spectroscopy was used for the determination of the base-pairing content of four specific tRNAs in deuterium oxide solution. Infrared spectra were obtained in the 1750-1550 cm-1 region at various temperatures ranging from about 15 to 90°C. Melting curves were constructed by plotting the molar extinction coefficient at ν = 1657 cm-1 versus temperature. These transition curves enabled us to determine the ranges of temperature which correspond to the ordered (partially double-stranded) or randomly coiled structure of the tRNA. For a set of wavenumbers the extinction coefficients at these temperatures were used for the calculation of the base-pairing content. The procedure employed here is based on a method described earlier by Thomas [(1969) Biopolymers 7, 325-334]. For the conditions selected for this investigation (Mg2+-free D2O-buffer; 0.01M tris-DCl, 0.015M NaCl, pD 7.5) the results of this determination agree within the limits of errors with the number of base pairs predicted by the cloverleaf model.

Notes: We have calculated the translational and rotational frictional coefficients of structures related to T2 and T4 bacteriophage, using the theoretical framework developed in the preceding two papers. The structures considered were models for tail-fiberless phage, and for whole phage with fibers in the extended and retracted portions. We also computed and compared with the experiment the changes in translational frictional coefficient produced by successive addition of 1-6 fibers to the fiberless particle. Agreement with experimental results is markedly improved over previous theoretical efforts, especially with respect to the effect of tail-fiber extension. Some significant discrepancies remain, however, in the comparison of fiber-retracted and fiberless phage.

Notes: We have used the modified Oseen hydrodynamic interaction tensor along with iterative numerical solution of the coupled hydrodynamic interaction equations to calculate the rotational diffusion coefficients of macromolecular complexes composed of nonidentical spherical subunits. For the one structure, a prolate ellipsoid of revolution, for which exact solutions are available, a subunit model with the same length and volume gives asymptotic agreement with the Perrin equations. Other structures considered include plane polygonal rings, lollipops, and dumbbells.

Notes: We have studied the effects of temperature, EDTA, and ionic strength on C-polysaccharides in solution by examining the details of the time-correlation function using a 96-channel single-clipped photon correlation spectrometer. Our linewidth results have shown that the C-polysaccharides in buffer solution form aggregates of very broad distributions. Thus, fractionation by gel-filtration chromatography is only mildly effective. Although the aggregate sizes seem to remain relatively constant from 4 to 25°C, a fraction of those aggregates break up to form smaller fragments or monomers at higher temperatures. However, the dissolution-association process is quite slow and takes days even at room temperatures before the equilibrium is reached. We have also shown that by adding an excess amoutn of EDTA, the aggregates can be broken up. Again the dramatic changes occur only at short delay times suggesting that a protion of the larger aggregates remains. Finally, the amount and size of aggregates depend upon the ionic strength which exhibit a maximum ΓT/sin2 (θ/2) around 0.1-0.2 M KCl.If the activities of polysaccharides in solution depend upon molecular size, the standard techniques such as gel-permeation chromatography and ultracentrifugation cannot properly characterize the detailed size distribution. Quasielastic laser light scattering can provide us with a qualitative model. The quantitative details must necessarily await more extensive investigations using a combination of the techniques and better fractionation procedures in an appropriate buffer solution.

Notes: The coupling of N-acyl-α-amino-acids with α-hydroxyacid-methyl amides results in depsipeptide molecules containing two chiral centers and one ester function inserted between two amide functions. Their conformational features have been investigated by IR spectroscopy, proton magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, and theoretical P.C.I.L.O. calculations.It is shown that most of these molecules are folded by an intramolecular 4 → 1 hydrogen bonding. Two folded conformations, similar to the well known β turn in peptides, are described, the stability of which depends on the configurational sequence in the investigated molecule.LL and LD species are folded in two different ways whereas LG sequences containing an achiral hydroxy-acid residue accommodate both of them. The presence of a N-terminal achiral amino acid noticeably decreases the folding ratio.The above conclusions are then compared with the conformational features of homologous tripeptide molecules.

Notes: The kinetics of complex formation between fluorescein mercuric acetate and heat-denatured DNA were studied by measuring the fluorescence quenching of this reagent. This quenching process involved no immeasurably rapid phase and it was shown that this reaction follows simple second-order kinetics. The rate constant at 25°C was estimated to be 2.9 × 104M-1 sec-1 for calf-thymus DNA (42% G + C) and 1.1 × 104M-1 sec-1 for Micrococcus lysodeikticus DNA (72% G + C). Activation parameters for this reaction were calculated from the temperature dependence of the reaction rate, and the activation entropy was found to be highly negative (-27.5 cal/mol deg for calf-thymus DNA and -25.5 cal/mol deg for M. lysodeikticus DNA). The binding of fluorescein mercuric acetate to native DNA, which requires the opening of the double-helical structure, was also followed by measuring the absorbance change of this reagent. There was a lag phase in this binding process, and the enthalpy change for the opening step corresponded roughly to that for the opening of one base pair. These findings are discussed in relation to the results of a similar study with formaldehyde.

Notes: The formation of collagen fibrils from soluble monomers and aggregates by thermal gelation at neutral pH can be divided into two distinct stages: a nucleation phase and a growth phase. Turbidity studies of the kinetics of the precipitation reaction show that the lag-phase time or nucleation reaction time, t′l, is markedly temperature dependent while the growth reaction time is temperature independent. The activation energy of the nucleation reaction is essentially constant over the temperature range studied. In monitoring the nucleation-phase reaction by various physicochemical techniques, including viscosity, sedimentation equilibrium, and light scattering, no evidence for the formation of aggregates was observed. Enrichment of the initial collagen solution with aggregates accelerates nucleation, but de novo nuclei formation is still required even in highly aggregated collagen preparations. Removal of pepsin and pronase susceptible peptides lengthens the nucleation reaction time and increases the sensitivity of the rate of nuclei formation to changes in ionic strength. Electron microscope studies show the fibrils formed from the protease-treated collagen to be less well organized. With pepsin-treated collagen, subfibrils and obliquely striated fibrils are seen, showing that while microfibrils are formed interactions between them are modulated by the enzyme susceptible peptides in the same way that these regions modulate nuclei assembly. It appears that pepsin and pronase susceptible peptide regions of collagen play a more prominent role in the in vitro assembly of collagen molecules to form D-stagger nuclei and fibrils than do ionic interactions between helical molecular regions. A mechanism of nucleation of collagen fibrillogenesis is discussed.

Notes: Circular dichroism spectra of the nucleic acid monomers have been measured in aqueous solution and extended into the vacuum ultraviolet region to about 166 nm. Measurements were made on ribo and deoxyribo derivatives of adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil derivatives both with and without the 5′-phosphate (with the exception of ribosyl thymine 5′-phosphate). Absorption spectra of the deoxyribonucleotides measured to about 175 nm are also presented. The results demonstrate that both the circular dichroism and absorption spectra observed below 200 nm are no more complicated than the spectra normally recorded above 200 nm. In most cases, the circular dichroism spectra of the various derivatives of a given base are similar, indicating that the conformations are similar. On the other hand, the differences among the circular dichroism spectra of the various derivatives of a given base are sufficient to identify a particular derivative. The average circular dichroism for the deoxyribonucleotides is compared with the circular dichroism of native E. coli DNA. The comparison reveals that the circular dichroism of DNA below 200 nm is due principally to the interaction between the bases rather than the intrinsic circular dichroism of the monomers. The monomer transitions are discussed in relationship to the absorption and circular dichroism spectra presented.

Notes: A theory for the determination of DNA arrangements in DNA-containing specimens, using planar aromatic dye molecules as probes for plane polarization of fluorescence, has been described. At low dye-to-DNA concentrations, the dye molecules are sandwiched between the stacked bases of DNA; hence, the fluorescence from the dye bound to a local region of DNA helix is plane-polarized with the polarization direction perpendicular to the local axis of DNA. The degree of such polarization from an aligned DNA-specimen complexed with dye is determined both by the DNA orientation and the conformational state (e.g., base tilt) of DNA into that specimen. Analysis has been made of the relationship between the degree of polarization and the orientation of the emitting dipoles of dye. The dye complexes may be aligned in a mechanical shear or electric field. However, any change in the orientation distribution of the emitting dipoles due to force fields should be taken into account. With some assumptions and approximations, the magnitude and the direction of maximum polarization can be related to different orders of DNA coiling and to their various combinations. Since the measured polarization is averaged over all DNA regions of the specimen, if the magnitude of polarization is appreciable and the polarization occurs in the specific direction of the specimen, the theory helps to eliminate several probable arrangements of DNA. The predominant molecular features of the actual DNA arrangement can be determined through this process of elimination, as explained in two subsequent papers with T-even bacteriophage and chromosome systems.

Notes: Fluorescence of 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonate (TNS) was enhanced in the presence of maltooligosaccharides, amylose, and other α-glucans. The dependence of relative TNS fluorescence intensity per glucose unit on chain length of oligosaccharides was examined. The values of binding constant and thermodynamic parameters, assuming the 1:1 complex for TNS-amylose (number-average degree of polymerization, DPN = 17), were determined by the fluorescence titration. The values of thermodynamic parameters for 1:1 complex formation of TNS-α- and β-cyclodextrins were also determined and compared with those of TNS-amylose (DPN = 17). The fluorescence intensity of TNS in the presence of amylose (DPN = 600) decreased by the action of glucoamylase and taka-amylase A. The fluorescence of TNS-amylose (DPN = 17) system increased with the increased ionic strength. In the presence of pullulan, TNS fluorescence was also enhanced and decreased by the action of pullulanase. Amylopectin enhanced TNS fluorescence rather more strongly than amylose (DPN = 17) at the same concentration. In the presence of dextran, the fluorescence of TNS was scarcely enhanced. The degree of fluorescence enhancement of TNS in the presence of α-glucans seems to reflect the structures of α-glucans in solution, since TNS fluorescence is enhanced in the hydrophobic environment or by the disturbance of free intramolecular rotation.

Notes: Water-soluble, random copolymers containing L-methionine and N5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-glutamine have been prepared, fractionated, and characterized. The thermally induced helix-coil transitions of these copolymers in water have been investigated, and it has been found that incorporation of L-methionine increases the helix content of the polymers at all temperatures in the range of 0-60°C. The Zimm-Bragg parameters σ and s for the helix-coil transition in poly(L-methionine) in water were deduced from an analysis of the melting curves of the copolymers using the methods described in earlier papers.

Notes: Normal vibrational analysis was carried out for DNA molecules in both A and B conformations as well as for A-RNA. A simplified backbone model was examined and expanded to include the backbone phosphate-group and the ribose ring. We applied the new force-constant refinement procedure discussed in the preceeding paper [Van Zandt, L. L., Lu, K.-C. & Prohofsky, E. W. (1977) Biopolymers, 16, 2481-90] to fit some observed frequencies in the Raman spectra for all three nucleic acids with the same set of force constants. The results indicate that the observed frequency shift can be attributed to the conformational change solely. We ignored the second-order differences in force constants for the different geometries. The agreement between the observed and calculated frequencies derived from the final refined set of force constants is good and apparently justifies this assumption. Two modes previously assigned to the symmetric diester O-P-O stretch and the symmetric dioxy O‥P‥O stretch are actually fitted. They are mainly backbone phosphate-group modes. The refined ribose-ring force-constants were transferred to the calculation of the vibrational spectrum of tetrahydrofuran. The overall agreement is again good. We discuss these calculations and the resulting normal modes. We also discuss the application of the Green-function refinement scheme and several strategies adopted to bias the convergence of the procedure.

Notes: A study of the conformational states of the dinucleotide coenzyme NAD+ has been made using semiempirical energy calculations. Taking low-energy mononucleotide structures as starting conformations, energy minimizations have been performed. The lowest energy states are stacked structures, with interactions between the adenine and nicotinamide rings. Some structures show stabilization gained from electrostatic attractions between the positively charged nicotinamide and negatively charged phosphate oxygens. These predictions correlate well with the available experimental data.

Notes: Water-soluble block copolymers of the type (A)m-(B)n-(A)p, where (A)m,p was either poly(D,L-lysine-α,β,β,γ,γ,δ,δ-d7) or poly(D,L-lysine) and (B)n was either poly(L-alanine) or poly(L-phenylalanine), were synthesized for conformational studies by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Analytical determination of the amount of the initiator fragment (n-hexylamine) at the C-terminus of the copolymers was used to obtain the number-average degrees of polymerization, DPn, and thereby, together with the amino acid composition, to establish the covalent structures of the polymers. The values of DPn were found to be much lower than those deduced from sedimentation equilibrium or form viscosity measurements. These deviations, which also are thought to have arisen in similar studies reported in the literature, are attributable to intermolecular aggregation; the relation of such aggregation to covalent structure (and its effect on the polymerization reaction) is discussed in terms of the conditions and mechanism of synthesis of block copolymers of amino acids.

Notes: We have tested 21 different basis sets of synthetic DNA circular dichroism spectra and have slected one for use in spectral analyses of natural DNAs. This “standard” set consists of spectra of eight polymers: poly[d(A-A-T)·d(A-T-T)], poly[d(A-G-G)·d(C-C-T)], poly[d(A-T)·d(A-T)], poly[d(G-C)·d(G-C)], poly[d(A-G)·d(C-T)], poly[d(A-C)·d(G-T)], poly[d(A-T-C)·d(G-A-T)], and poly[d(A-G-C)·d(G-C-T)]. This basis set, applied according to the first-neighbor polymer procedure of Gray and Tinoco, allows a more uniformly accurate spectral analysis of six natural complex DNAs and eight (A+T)-rich satellite DNAs for base composition and first-neighbor frequencies than was previously possible. We find that spectra of poly[d(A)·d(T)] and/or poly[d(A-C-T-)·d(A-G-T)] are not generally required for good analysis results but we show in this and the following paper that these spectra are needed for the most accurate analyses of some satellite DNAs.