[The "condensation" and "ligand" theory in describing DNA helix-coil transition: comparative analysis].

Experimental data on DNA melting in the presence of magnesium and calcium ions are compared with the calculated results by the "ligand" theory and "condensation" theory developed by de Marky and Manning (TMM). The maximum is observed in TMM dependences of DNA melting temperature change (delta Tm) on the ion concentration (D), absent in the experimental dependences and the "ligand" theory. The main cause of the discrepancy of calculated and experimental dependences delta Tm (D) is the fact that TMM neglects Na+ ion effects on Me2+ ion binding ("condensation") to DNA. The results obtained show that in comparison with TMM the "ligand" theory describes more adequately DNA helix-coil transition in the presence of divalent metal ions in the region of both low and high ionic strengths of solution.