Circular dichroism of helical polynucleotides calculated by the linear response method

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Biopolymers; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bip.1979.360180215· OSTI ID:5062440

Redmann, Jr, S M; Rhodes, W

Linear response theory in the decorrelation or random-phase approximation is used to calculate the absorption and CD spectra of model helical polymers, including single-stranded polyadenylic acid. The method, which makes use of infinite polymer selection rules for the linear response tensor, has the advantages that (1) only a few three-dimensional matrices need be inverted; (2) spectral band shapes of the polymer arise naturally from those of the monomer, as well as from the geometry-dependent interactions in the helix; and (3) the spectral dependence of geometrical factors of the helix is made transparent. It is found that the structure of the polymer CD spectrum depends critically on monomer bandshape. An asymmetric CD spectrum, similar to some experimental spectra, arises from either a Gaussian or a composite monomer band. Single-stranded polyadenylic acid spectra are sensitive to helix geometry in the region 200 to 240 nm, in a reasonable agreement with experimental spectra. This sensitivity arises from the 207-nm monomer transition, and the results suggest that this region of the spectrum should be more fully exploited as a tool for helix geometry studies.

• Research Organization: Florida State Univ., Tallahassee
• OSTI ID: 5062440
• Journal Information: Biopolymers; (United States), Journal Name: Biopolymers; (United States) Vol. 18; ISSN BIPMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
CONFIGURATION
DICHROISM
GEOMETRY
HELICAL CONFIGURATION
LINEAR ABSORPTION MODELS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICS
NUCLEOTIDES
OPTICAL ACTIVITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PARTICLE MODELS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYMERS
SPECTRA
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
TENSORS