Characterization of DNA–Hv1 histone interactions; discrimination of DNA size and shape

We have studied the formation of histone Hv1–DNA complexes using an acoustic biosensor and AFM imaging. Our results show that DNA and histone molecules aggregate into amorphous accumulations which form a compact rigid layer on the sensor’s surface. By measuring changes in the acoustic wave amplitude, it was possible to titrate surface bound DNA with Hv1 and discriminate between DNA molecules of different size and shape. From the kinetic analysis of real time data, Keq was found equal to 3 × 105 M−1.