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The influence of salts andpH on polarographic currents produced by denatured DNA

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Summary

The behaviour of denatured DNA was studied with the aid of classical (dc) polarography, alternating current polarography, oscillopolarography and pulse-polarography. The dependences of limiting dc polarographic currents of denatured DNA onpH had S-shaped courses. The curves of S-shaped dependences shifted to variouspH according to the concentration and to the type of salts of background electrolyte. In the regions ofpH, where the height of dc polarographic step almost did not change withpH, the limiting current had the character of diffusion controlled currents. At higherpH, when the drop of current occurred, the dc polarographic curves had a maximum form. The decrease of current and the appearance of the maximum-like curve is probably connected with adsorption/desorption processes which take place on the electrode at negative potentials. S-shaped course had even the dependence of the height of pulse-polarographic curves and the depths of an indentation on the oscillopolarograms dE/dt againstE on pH. In difference to the dc polarography, it was possible by using these methods to work with lower DNA concentrations and to measure at lower pH.

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Brabec, V., Paleček, E. The influence of salts andpH on polarographic currents produced by denatured DNA. Biophysik 6, 290–300 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01575324

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