Structural transition produced by electric fields in aqueous sodium deoxyribonucleate.

It was found that the birefringence of aqueous solutions of sodium DNA is anomalous when electric fields of high intensity (>/=10(4) v/cm) are applied. The magnitude of the birefringence first rose upon application of the orienting pulse, then fell as the field was sustained above a critical value. The occurrence of the effect depended upon macromolecular and electrolyte concentrations. Upon removal of the field, the birefringence was rapidly restored and then it decayed with an increase of the reorientational relaxation times, relative to those observed below the critical field. It is proposed that the electric field may cause aggregation of the macromolecules and then produce a structural transition concomitant with the electric field orientation effect. This transition may correspond to the "B" right harpoon over left harpoon "A" structures identified in x-ray studies, or to a "B" right harpoon over left harpoon "V" structure change, where "V" is a postulated new helical form stabilized by cooperative interactions of base and dipoles in the electric field. Field induced transitions of this type would be of interest in connection with molecular mechanisms of transport through membranes, nerve impulse transmission, or information storage.