Distinction between native and denatured DNA by means of compression

Journal: ELECTROANALYSIS 12, 1233-1236
Authors: Novotny, L., Fojta, M., Heyrovsky, M.
Year: 2000

Abstract

Native and denatured DNA show different behavior on a compression mercury drop electrode in voltammetric and chronoamperometric measurements. The effect of both forms of adsorbed DNA on cyclic voltammetry of Cd2+ ions were followed in course of the growth, compression and repeated growth of the mercury electrode. The measurements have indicated different compression -expansion properties of the two DNA forms and possibilities of their voltammetric distinction in course of tens of seconds up to a few minutes. Different behavior was also observed on compression i-t curves after DNA accumulation on slowly growing or stationary mercury drop electrode. Most marked differences between i-t curves were observed in the potential region around - 0.6 V (vs. SCE) where DNA is strongly adsorbed.