On the Melting Temperature of Nucleic Acid in Solution

Abstract

The mass action law has been applied to the “melting” process of nucleic acids and also to the binding process of small ions or molecules. On the basis of previously-obtained data on the variation of the melting temperature of nucleic acids caused by interaction with small ions and molecules, some of the enthalpy, entropy, and free energy changes involved in the processes have been estimated. A model has been proposed of how the spermine molecule may interact with the deoxyribonucleic acid molecule to stabilize the double-helical conformation of the latter molecule.