D. Liu et al., Visualization of the intermediates in a uniform DNA condensation system bytapping mode atomic force microscopy, SURF INT AN, 32(1), 2001, pp. 15-19
In this work, we report observation of the fine structure of cobalt-hexammi
ne-induced DNA condensates by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). A
uniform system with minimum fluctuations of concentration was obtained by
introducing a slow-evaporation method, which enables investigation of the i
ntermediate structures in DNA condensation. Some toroid condensates had wel
l-defined small globule subunits; some other condensates were composed of n
odular sections with gauze-like complexes spreading around at the outskirts
; typical images revealed badly assembled toroidal condensates composed of
small globules with a fraction of loosely associated globules dotted in the
gauze-like complexes spreading around the badly-assembled part of the toro
id. These observations indicate that DNA condensation seems to involve five
major stages: initial rapid association of chains to form gauze-like compl
exes; collapse of these gauze-like complexes at some critical sizes; growth
of the critical nucleus by accretion, formation of rods by aggregation of
condensed particles; and association of rod-like condensates to form toroid
s. The results may shed light on uncovering the physical mechanism of DNA c
ondensation by multivalent cations. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, L
td.