Author/Editor     Spindler, L; Drevenšek-Olenik, I; Čopič, M; Romih, R; Cerar, J; Škerjanc, J; Mariani, P
Title     Dynamic light scattering and 31P NMR spectroscopy study of the self-assembly of deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate
Type     članek
Source     Eur Phys J, E Soft Matter Print
Vol. and No.     Letnik 7
Publication year     2002
Volume     str. 95-102
Language     eng
Abstract     Self-assembling properties of deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate in isotropic solutions of concentrations from 0.5 wt% to 15 wt% were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and 31P NMR spectroscopy. A slow diffusive mode with a diffusion coefficient Dslow aprox. 10-12 m2/s was detected by DLS for the whole concentration range. This mode is assigned to the translational motion of large globular aggregates, similar to those observed in DNA and other polyelectrolyte solutions. The existence of such aggregates was confirmed by freeze fracture electron microscopy. Close to the isotropic-cholesteric phase transition, at 4 wt% =< c =< 10 wt%, also a faster diffusive mode is observed in the polarized DLS response and a very fast mode is detected by depolarized DLS. These modes are related to translational and rotational diffusion of the columnar stacks of guanosine molecules, which are favorably formed in the relatively narrow pretransitional region. The stacking was also revealed from the appearance of a secondary resonance line in the 31P NMR spectra. Using the hydrodynamic theory of Tirado and Garcia de la Torre, the length of the cylindrical stacks was found to be L = 364 +- 78 A, which is significantly larger than the values reported for other guanosine derivatives.
Descriptors     MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
DEOXYGUANINE NUCLEOTIDES
LIGHT
SCATTERING, RADIATION