O. V. Zribi et al 2005 Europhys. Lett. 70 541 doi:10.1209/epl/i2004-10510-1
O. V. Zribi1, H. Kyung1, R. Golestanian2,3, T. B. Liverpool2,4 and G. C. L. Wong1
Show affiliationsMultivalent ions can induce condensation of like-charged polyelectrolytes into compact states, a process that requires different ion valence for different polyelectrolyte species. We have examined the trivalent ion-induced condensation behavior in binary anionic polyelectrolyte mixtures consisting of DNA coils and F-actin rods, and observe a micro-phase separation between the two polyelectrolytes into coexisting finite-sized F-actin bundles and DNA toroids. Further, by increasing the DNA volume fraction in the mixture, condensed F-actin bundles can be completely destabilized, leading to only DNA condensation within the mixture. We examine a number of possible causes and propose a model based on polyelectrolyte competition for ions.
82.35.Pq Biopolymers, biopolymerization
Issue 4 (May 2005)
Received 19 October 2004, accepted for publication 24 March 2005, in final form 24 March 2005
Published 22 April 2005
O. V. Zribi et al 2005 Europhys. Lett. 70 541
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