Determination of stability of the DNA double helix in an aqueous medium

Abstract

Abstract The possibility of determining the free energy of stabilization Δ G 0 of native DNA structure with the help of calorimetric data on heats Δ H of transition from the native to denaturated state is considered. Results of microcalorimetric measurements of heats of denaturation of T 2 phage DNA at, different values of pH and ionic strength of solution are given. Values of free energy of stabilization of the DNA native structure Δ G 0 under various conditions have been obtained. It is shown that under conditions close to physiological Δ G 0 approaches 1200 cal/mole per base pair.