Phase Behavior and Coassembly of DNA and Lysozyme in Dilute Aqueous Mixtures: A Model Investigation of DNA-Protein Interactions

Results from an experimental investigation of the phase behavior of an aqueous system of DNA from salmon testes and the protein lysozyme arc presented. At very low concentrations of either or both of the macromolecular components, wormlike assemblies with a width of the order of 10 nm are formed. There are strong indications that direct interactions between the protein units are instrumental both in driving the phase separation and in controlling the morphology of the formed assemblies.