Investigation of Ternary Complexes: DNA-Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes-Mg super(2+) by Freeze-Fracture Method and Their Role in the Formation of Some Cell Structures

Long-term investigations of ternary complexes: DNA-zwitterionic liposomes-divalent metal cations have revealed many details of their structure; but some questions need additional study. The conditions under which fusion or aggregation of liposomes occurs during such complex formation remain obscure. The DNA structure in the ternary complex is still unclear. In this work, using a freeze-fracture method, author demonstrate the thin structure of a complex (early attempts to observe this structure employing other electron microscopic methods, in particular cryo-TEM, have not met with success). After treatment of ternary complexes with nuclease S1, which is able to digest single-stranded DNA, local DNA unwinding in such complexes was confirmed. Author describe how the curvature of liposomes as the main factor may determine the interaction between liposomes and DNA, especially aggregation or fusion of liposomes during ternary complex formation. Therefore, interaction between lipids of membrane vesicles in cell and chromatin DNA can be the first stage of a nuclear envelope and pore complex assembly.