INFLUENCES OF MACROMOLECULAR CROWDING ON BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMS

在我们早期对大分子拥挤效应的研究中，我们注意到 T4DNA连接酶催化的DNA分子之间的连接可能是 受到高浓度聚合物的极大刺激。我们已经比较了 这种拥挤效应对DNA之间的非酶凝聚力的影响 使用基于Lambda DNA粘性末端的检测系统的分子。 几种聚合物的高浓度极大地提高了 非酶凝聚力，从而允许测试的机制 拥挤对DNA连接酶反应的影响。 大分子拥挤的影响也被用不同的 酶的类型，T4 RNA连接酶。对RNA结合率的刺激 底物和新型线状RNA聚集体的产生 获得。 与专利局的互动正在进行中，涉及 代表政府申请涵盖以下各项的专利 聚合物刺激的DNA连接。

In our earlier studies of the effects of macromolecular crowding, we noted that the joining between DNA molecules catalyzed by T4 DNA ligase could be enormously stimulated by high concentrations of polymers. We have compared such crowding effects with those on the nonenzymatic cohesion between DNA molecules using assay systems based on the cohesive termini of Lambda DNA. High concentrations of several polymers greatly increase the rate of nonenzymatic cohesion, thereby allowing a test of the mechanism of the crowding effect on the DNA ligase reaction. The effects of macromolecular crowding were also examined with a different type of enzyme, T4 RNA ligase. Stimulation in the rates of joining of RNA substrates and the production of novel linear aggregates of RNA were obtained. Interactions with the Patent Office are proceeding in connection with the application on behalf of the Government of a patent covering the polymer-stimulated ligation of DNA.