DNA initiates polymorphic structural transitions in lecithin

The inverted micellar phase, obtained by treating lecithin and Ca 2+-DNA complex with chloroform, was used as an intermediate step in the preparation of DNA-Ca 2+-lecithin complex. DSC analysis demonstrated the involvement of a large fraction of lipid in the interaction with DNA. Freeze-fracture ele...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:FEBS letters 1996-07, Vol.390 (2), p.133-136
Main Authors: Tarahovsky, Y.S., Khusainova, R.S., Gorelov, A.V., Nicolaeva, T.I., Deev, A.A., Dawson, A.K., Ivanitsky, G.R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cattle
differential scanning calorimetry
dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
DNA - chemistry
DNA Adducts - chemistry
DNA-lipid interaction
DPPC
DSC
Freeze Fracturing
In Vitro Techniques
Lipid polymorphism
Membrane ultrastructure
Micelles
Microscopy, Electron
Molecular Structure
Phosphatidylcholines - chemistry
Transfection
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Summary:The inverted micellar phase, obtained by treating lecithin and Ca 2+-DNA complex with chloroform, was used as an intermediate step in the preparation of DNA-Ca 2+-lecithin complex. DSC analysis demonstrated the involvement of a large fraction of lipid in the interaction with DNA. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy revealed (i) rod-like structures on the hydrophobic fracture surface of membranes and (ii) regular bundles of fibrils with a repeat distance of about 6 nm, which were located free in solution. Similar regular bundles of fibrils were also revealed by staining the samples with uranyl acetate. According to the suggested model, the observed structures are hexagonally packed inverted lipid tubes, with DNA located in their central cores. The possible biological relevance of the capability of Ca 2+-DNA to initiate polymorphic phase transitions of lecithin is discussed.
ISSN:0014-5793
1873-3468
DOI:10.1016/0014-5793(96)00643-6