Probing biopolymer conformation by metallization with noble metals

Abstract

We propose a novel method for the simple visual (colorimetric) and spectroscopic monitoring of the conformational state of a biopolymer. We present an experimental example of the detection of the change in the conformation of a giant DNA molecule. This methodology is based on the difference in the manner of metallization with noble metals on a polymer scaffold depending on its conformation. Spectroscopic analysis of the metallization of DNA by metallic silver or gold provides information on the critical concentration of DNA binder, at which the folding transition from the elongated into the compact state occurs, together with the dimension and morphology of a compact DNA condensate. This method may be suitable for use in a rapid screening procedure for the high-throughput analysis of large chemical libraries to evaluate their ability to induce DNA compaction, protein folding and similar important processes.