[The compact form of DNA in solution. IV. The effect of secondary structure defectiveness on the arrangement of double-chained DNA molecules into compact particles].

Influence of pH on absorbance and CD-spectra of DNA in PEG-containing water-salt solutions has been studied. The changes in the spectra appeared due to disturbance of the DNA secondary structure upon acidification of the medium proir to or after DNA compactization. If acidification preceeds DNA compactization an intense negative band in the CD spectrum inherent to the compact particles is observed at pH values 7-4. The intensity of the band decreases with an increase of the acidity. The size of the compact particles as evaluated from the dependence of the apparent optical density on the wavelength value remains unchanged (about 1200 A). If the solution is strongly acidified (pH 4.0-2.8) and a considerable disturbance in the DNA secondary structure takes place a negative band in the CD spectrum completely disappears. If one acidifies a solution containing preformed DNA compact particles a decrease of the intensity of the CD negative band starts at lower pH values (less than 2.8). This process is accompanied by an increase of the size of the particles. Acidic "denaturation" of DNA within the compact particles (pH approximately 2.5) is followed by a dissappearance of the CD negative band and a considerable increase of the particle size. The data obtained indicate that the specific arrangement of DNA strands manifested in a CD negative band depends on the defects in the DNA secondary structure.