Abstract

DAGDUG, L.  and  YOUNG, L.. Theoretical basis for the study of the effect of base composition on DNA melting. Rev. mex. fis. [online]. 2004, vol.50, n.6, pp.594-600. ISSN 0035-001X.

We extend the ideas used to describe the glass transition in strong glasses employing the stochastic matrix method, giving a theoretical framework for the study of the configurational changes and the melting temperature of DNA. Our theoretical model enables a systematic study of the melting transition and the melting temperature dependence on the sequence differences in vertical stacking. Taking into account the fractional composition in a single strand, exact analytic results are given for the fraction of bonds intact and denatured at a particular temperature. This method is applicable to long DNA as well as RNA.

Keywords : DNA; melting temperature; stochastic matrix method.

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