STRAINED DNA IS KINKED BY LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF ZN2+

A novel atomic force microscope with a magnetically oscillated tip has provided unprecedented resolution of small DNA fragments spontaneousl y adsorbed to mica and imaged in situ in the presence of divalent ions . Kinks (localized bends of average angle 78 degrees) were observed in axially strained minicircles consisting of tandemly repeated d(A)(5) and d(GGGCC[C]) sequences. The frequency of kinks in identical minicir cles increased 4-fold in the presence of 1 mM Zn2+ compared with 1 mM Mg2+. Kinking persisted in mixed Mg2+/Zn2+ electrolytes until the Zn2 concentration dropped below 100 mu M, indicating that this type of ki nking may occur under physiological conditions, Kinking appears to rep lace intrinsic bending, and statistical analysis shows that kinks are not localized within any single sequence element. A surprisingly small free energy is associated with kink formation.