Compute the enthalpy and entropy of helix-coil transition, and then the melting temperature of a nucleic acid duplex with the MELTING 5 software (Le Novère, 2001; Dumousseau et al., 2012).

melting(sequence, comp.sequence = NULL,
        nucleic.acid.conc,
        hybridisation.type = c("dnadna", "rnarna", "dnarna",
                               "rnadna", "mrnarna", "rnamrna"),
        Na.conc, Mg.conc, Tris.conc, K.conc,
        dNTP.conc, DMSO.conc, formamide.conc,
        size.threshold = 60, force.self = FALSE, correction.factor,
        method.approx = c("ahs01", "che93", "che93corr",
                          "schdot", "owe69", "san98",
                          "wetdna91", "wetrna91", "wetdnarna91"),
        method.nn = c("all97", "bre86", "san04", "san96", "sug96",
                      "tan04", "fre86", "xia98", "sug95", "tur06"),
        method.GU = c("tur99", "ser12"),
        method.singleMM = c("allsanpey", "tur06", "zno07", "zno08", "wat11"),
        method.tandemMM = c("allsanpey", "tur99"),
        method.single.dangle = c("bom00", "sugdna02", "sugrna02", "ser08"),
        method.double.dangle = c("sugdna02", "sugrna02", "ser05", "ser06"),
        method.long.dangle = c("sugdna02", "sugrna02"),
        method.internal.loop = c("san04", "tur06", "zno07"),
        method.single.bulge.loop = c("tan04", "san04", "ser07" ,"tur06"),
        method.long.bulge.loop = c("san04", "tur06"),
        method.CNG = c("bro05"),
        method.inosine = c("san05", "zno07"),
        method.hydroxyadenine = c("sug01"),
        method.azobenzenes = c("asa05"),
        method.locked = c("owc11", "mct04"),
        method.consecutive.locked = c("owc11"),
        method.consecutive.locked.singleMM = c("owc11"),
        correction.ion = c("ahs01", "kam71", "marschdot",
                           "owc1904", "owc2004", "owc2104",
                           "owc2204", "san96", "san04", "schlif",
                           "tanna06", "tanna07", "wet91",
                           "owcmg08", "tanmg06", "tanmg07",
                           "owcmix08", "tanmix07"),
        method.Naeq = c("ahs01", "mit96", "pey00"),
        correction.DMSO = c("ahs01", "cul76", "esc80", "mus81"),
        correction.formamide = c("bla96", "lincorr"))

Arguments

sequence

Sequence (5' to 3') of one strand of the nucleic acid duplex as a character string (Note: Uridine and thymidine are not considered as identical).

comp.sequence

Complementary sequence (3' to 5') of the nucleic acid duplex as a character string.

nucleic.acid.conc

Concentration of the nucleic acid strand (M or mol L-1) in excess as a numeric value.

hybridisation.type

The hybridisation type. Either "dnadna", "rnarna", "dnarna", "rnadna", "mrnarna" or "rnamrna" (see Hybridisation type options).

Na.conc

Concentration of Na ions (M) as a positive numeric value (see Ion and agent concentrations).

Mg.conc

Concentration of Mg ions (M) as a positive numeric value (see Ion and agent concentrations).

Tris.conc

Concentration of Tris ions (M) as a positive numeric value (see Ion and agent concentrations).

K.conc

Concentration of K ions (M) as a positive numeric value (see Ion and agent concentrations).

dNTP.conc

Concentration of dNTP (M) as a positive numeric value (see Ion and agent concentrations).

DMSO.conc

Concentration of DMSO (%) as a positive numeric value (see Ion and agent concentrations).

formamide.conc

Concentration of formamide (M or % depending on correction method) as a positive numeric value (see Ion and agent concentrations).

size.threshold

Sequence length threshold to decide approximative or nearest-neighbour approach for computation. Default is 60.

force.self

logical. Enforces that sequence is self complementary and complementary sequence is not required (seed Self complementary sequences). Default is FALSE.

correction.factor

Correction factor to be used to modulate the effect of the nucleic acid concentration (nucleic.acid.conc) in the computation of melting temperature (see Correction factor for nucleic acid concentration).

method.approx

Specify the approximative formula to be used for melting temperature calculation for sequences of length greater than size.threshold. Either "ahs01", "che93", "che93corr", "schdot", "owe69", "san98", "wetdna91", "wetrna91" or "wetdnarna91" (see Approximative formulas).

method.nn

Specify the nearest neighbor model to be used for melting temperature calculation for perfectly matching sequences of length lesser than size.threshold. Either "all97", "bre86", "san04", "san96", "sug96", "tan04", "fre86", "xia98", "sug95" or "tur06" (see Perfectly matching sequences).

method.GU

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of GU base pairs to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "tur99" or "ser12" (see GU wobble base pairs effect).

method.singleMM

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of single mismatch to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "allsanpey", "tur06", "zno07" "zno08" or "wat11" (see Single mismatch effect).

method.tandemMM

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of tandem mismatches to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "allsanpey" or "tur99" (see Tandem mismatches effect).

method.single.dangle

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of single dangling end to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "bom00", "sugdna02", "sugrna02" or "ser08" (see Single dangling end effect).

method.double.dangle

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of double dangling end to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "sugdna02", "sugrna02", "ser05" or "ser06" (see Double dangling end effect).

method.long.dangle

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of long dangling end to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "sugdna02" or "sugrna02" (see Long dangling end effect).

method.internal.loop

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of internal loop to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "san04", "tur06" or "zno07" (see Internal loop effect).

method.single.bulge.loop

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of single bulge loop to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "san04", "tan04", "ser07" or "tur06" (see Single bulge loop effect).

method.long.bulge.loop

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of long bulge loop to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "san04" or "tur06" (see Long bulge loop effect).

method.CNG

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of CNG repeats to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Available method is "bro05" (see CNG repeats effect).

method.inosine

Specify the specific nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of inosine bases (I) to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "san05" or "zno07" (see Inosine bases effect).

method.hydroxyadenine

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of hydroxyadenine bases (A*) to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Available method is "sug01" (see Hydroxyadenine bases effect).

method.azobenzenes

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of azobenzenes (X_T for trans azobenzenes and X_C for cis azobenzenes) to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Available method is "asa05" (see Azobenzenes effect).

method.locked

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of single locked nucleic acids (AL, GL, TL and CL) to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Either "owc11" or "mct04" (see Single locked nucleic acids effect).

method.consecutive.locked

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of consecutive locked nucleic acids (AL, GL, TL and CL) to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Available method is "owc11" (see Consecutive locked nucleic acids effect).

method.consecutive.locked.singleMM

Specify the nearest neighbor model to compute the contribution of consecutive locked nucleic acids (AL, GL, TL and CL) with a single mismatch to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition. Available method is "owc11" (see Consecutive locked nucleic acids with single mismatch effect).

correction.ion

Specify the correction method for ions. Either one of the following:

  • Mg corrections"owcmg08", "tanmg06" or "tanmg07" (see Magnesium corrections)

  • Mixed Na Mg corrections"owcmix08", "tanmix07" or "tanmix07" (see Mixed Sodium and Magnesium corrections)

.

method.Naeq

Specify the ion correction which gives a sodium equivalent concentration if other cations are present. Either "ahs01", "mit96" or "pey00" (see Sodium equivalent concentration methods).

correction.DMSO

Specify the correction method for DMSO. Specify the correction method for DMSO. Either "ahs01", "mus81", "cul76" or "esc80" (see DMSO corrections).

correction.formamide

Specify the correction method for formamide. Specify the correction method for formamide Either "bla96" or "lincorr" (see Formamide corrections).

Value

A list with the following components:

Environment

A list with details about the melting temperature computation environment.

Options

A list with details about the options (default or user specified) used for melting temperature computation.

Results

A list with the results of the melting temperature computation including the enthalpy and entropy in case of nearest neighbour methods.

Message

Error and/or Warning messages, if any.

Mandatory arguments

The following are the arguments which are mandatory for computation.

sequence

5' to 3' sequence of one strand of the nucleic acid duplex as a character string. Recognises A, C, G, T, U, I, X_C, X_T, A*, AL, TL, GL and CL. U and T are not considered identical (see Recognized nucleotides).

comp.sequence

Mandatory if there are mismatches, inosine(s) or hydroxyadenine(s) between the two strands. If not specified, it is computed as the complement of sequence. Self-complementarity in sequence is detected even though there may be (are) dangling end(s) and comp.sequence is computed (see Self complementary sequences).

nucleic.acid.conc

See Correction factor for nucleic acid concentration.

Na.conc, Mg.conc, Tris.conc, K.conc

At least one cation (Na, Mg, Tris, K) concentration is mandatory, the other agents(dNTP, DMSO, formamide) are optional (see Ion and agent concentrations).

hybridisation.type

See Hybridisation type options.

Recognized nucleotides

CodeType
AAdenine
CCytosine
GGuanine
TThymine
UUracil
IInosine
X_CTrans azobenzenes
X_TCis azobenzenes
A*Hydroxyadenine
ALLocked nucleic acid
TL"
GL"
CL"

U and T are not considered identical.

Hybridisation type options

The details of the possible options for hybridisation type specified in the argument hybridisation.type are as follows:

OptionSequenceComplementary sequence
dnadnaDNADNA
rnarnaRNARNA
dnarnaDNARNA
rnadnaRNADNA
mrnarna2-o-methyl RNARNA
rnamrnaRNA2-o-methyl RNA

This parameter determines the nature of the sequences in the arguments sequence and comp.sequence.

Ion and agent concentrations

Ion concentrations are specified by the arguments Na.conc, Mg.conc, Tris.conc and K.conc, while agent concentrations are specified by the arguments dNTP.conc, DMSO.conc and formamide.conc.

These values are used for different correction functions which approximately adjusts for effects of these ions (Na, Mg, Tris, K) and/or agents (dNTP, DMSO, formamide) on on thermodynamic stability of nucleic acid duplexes. Their concentration limits depends on the correction method used. All the concentrations must be in M, except for the DMSO (%) and formamide (% or M depending on the correction method). Note that [Tris+] is about half of the total tris buffer concentration.

Self complementary sequences

Self complementarity for perfect matching sequences or sequences with dangling ends is detected automatically. However it can be enforced by the argument force.self = TRUE.

Correction factor for nucleic acid concentration

For self complementary sequences (Auto detected or specified by force.self) it is 1. Otherwise it is 4 if the both strands are present in equivalent amount and 1 if one strand is in excess.

Approximative estimation formulas

FormulaTypeLimits/RemarksReference
ahs01DNANo mismatchvon Ahsen et al., 2001
che93DNANo mismatch; Na=0, Mg=0.0015,Marmur and Doty, 1962
Tris=0.01, K=0.05
che93corrDNANo mismatch; Na=0, Mg=0.0015,Marmur and Doty, 1962
Tris=0.01, K=0.05
schdotDNANo mismatchWetmur, 1991; Marmur and
Doty, 1962; Chester and
Marshak, 1993; Schildkraut
and Lifson, 1965; Wahl et
al., 1987; Britten et al.,
1974; Hall et al., 1980
owe69DNANo mismatchOwen et al., 1969;
Frank-Kamenetskii, 1971;
Blake, 1996; Blake and
Delcourt, 1998
san98DNANo mismatchSantaLucia, 1998; von Ahsen
et al., 2001
wetdna91*DNAWetmur, 1991
wetrna91*RNAWetmur, 1991
wetdnarna91*DNA/RNAWetmur, 1991

* Default formula for computation.

Note that calculation is increasingly incorrect when the length of the duplex decreases. Further, it does not take into account nucleic acid concentration.

Nearest neighbor models

Perfectly matching sequences

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
all97*DNAAllawi and SantaLucia, 1997
tur06*2'-O-MeRNA/A sodium correctionKierzek et al., 2006
RNA(san04) is
automatically applied to
convert the entropy (Na =
0.1M) into the entropy (Na =
1M).
bre86DNABreslauer et al., 1986
san04DNASantaLucia and Hicks, 2004
san96DNASantaLucia et al., 1996
sug96DNASugimoto et al., 1996
tan04DNATanaka et al., 2004
fre86RNAFreier et al., 1986
xia98*RNAXia et al., 1998
sug95*DNA/SantaLucia et al., 1996
RNA

* Default model for computation.

GU wobble base pairs effect

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
tur99RNAMathews et al., 1999
ser12*RNAChen et al., 2012

* Default model for computation.

GU base pairs are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Single mismatch effect

ModelTypeLimits.RemarksReference
allsanpey*DNAAllawi and SantaLucia, 1997;
Allawi and SantaLucia, 1998;
Allawi and SantaLucia, 1998;
Allawi and SantaLucia, 1998;
Peyret et al., 1999
wat11*DNA/RNAWatkins et al., 2011
tur06RNALu et al., 2006
zno07*RNADavis and Znosko, 2007
zno08RNAAt least one adjacent GU baseDavis and Znosko, 2008
pair.

* Default model for computation.

Single mismatches are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Tandem mismatches effect

ModelTypeLimits.RemarksReference
allsanpey*DNAOnly GT mismatches and TA/TGAllawi and SantaLucia, 1997;
mismatches.Allawi and SantaLucia, 1998;
Allawi and SantaLucia, 1998;
Allawi and SantaLucia, 1998;
Peyret et al., 1999
tur99*RNANo adjacent GU or UG baseMathews et al., 1999; Lu et
pairs.al., 2006

* Default model for computation.

Tandem mismatches are not taken into account by the approximative mode. Note that not all the mismatched Crick's pairs have been investigated.

Single dangling end effect

ModelTypeLimits.RemarksReference
bom00*DNABommarito et al., 2000
sugdna02DNAOnly terminal poly A selfOhmichi et al., 2002
complementary sequences.
sugrna02RNAOnly terminal poly A selfOhmichi et al., 2002
complementary sequences.
ser08*RNAOnly 3' UA, GU and UGO'Toole et al., 2006; Miller
terminal base pairs only 5'et al., 2008
UG and GU terminal base
pairs.

* Default model for computation.

Single dangling ends are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Double dangling end effect

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
sugdna02*DNAOnly terminal poly A selfOhmichi et al., 2002
complementary sequences.
sugrna02RNAOnly terminal poly A selfOhmichi et al., 2002
complementary sequences.
ser05RNADepends on the availableO'Toole et al., 2005
thermodynamic parameters for
single dangling end.
ser06*RNAO'Toole et al., 2006

* Default model for computation.

Double dangling ends are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Long dangling end effect

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
sugdna02*DNAOnly terminal poly A selfOhmichi et al., 2002
complementary sequences.
sugrna02*RNAOnly terminal poly A selfOhmichi et al., 2002
complementary sequences.

* Default model for computation.

Long dangling ends are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Internal loop effect

ModelTypeLimits.RemarksReference
san04*DNAMissing asymmetry penalty.SantaLucia and Hicks, 2004
Not tested with experimental
results.
tur06RNANot tested with experimentalLu et al., 2006
results.
zno07*RNAOnly for 1x2 loop.Badhwar et al., 2007

* Default model for computation.

Internal loops are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Single bulge loop effect

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
tan04*DNATan and Chen, 2007
san04DNAMissing closing AT penalty.SantaLucia and Hicks, 2004
ser07RNALess reliable results. SomeBlose et al., 2007
missing parameters.
tur06*RNALu et al., 2006

* Default model for computation.

Single bulge loops are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Long bulge loop effect

ModelTypeLimits.RemarksReference
san04*DNAMissing closing AT penalty.SantaLucia and Hicks, 2004
tur06*RNANot tested with experimentalMathews et al., 1999; Lu et
results.al., 2006

* Default model for computation.

Long bulge loops are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

CNG repeats effect

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
bro05*RNASelf complementary sequences.Broda et al., 2005
2 to 7 CNG repeats.

* Default model for computation.

CNG repeats are not taken into account by the approximative mode. The contribution of CNG repeats to the thermodynamic of helix-coil transition can be computed only for 2 to 7 CNG repeats. N represents a single mismatch of type N/N.

Inosine bases effect

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
san05*DNAMissing parameters for tandemWatkins and SantaLucia, 2005
base pairs containing inosine
bases.
zno07*RNAOnly IU base pairs.Wright et al., 2007

* Default model for computation.

Inosine bases (I) are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Hydroxyadenine bases effect

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
sug01*DNAOnly 5' GA*C 3'and 5' TA*A 3'Kawakami et al., 2001
contexts.

* Default model for computation.

Hydroxyadenine bases (A*) are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Azobenzenes effect effect

ModelTypeLimits/RemarksReference
asa05*DNALess reliable results whenAsanuma et al., 2005
the number of cis azobenzene
increases.

* Default model for computation.

Azobenzenes (X_T for trans azobenzenes and X_C for cis azobenzenes) are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Single locked nucleic acids effect

ModelTypeLimits.RemarksReference
mct04DNAMcTigue, Peterson, and Kahn,
2004
owc11*DNAOwczarzy, You, Groth, and
Tataurov, 2011

* Default model for computation.

Locked nucleic acids (AL, GL, TL and CL) are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Consecutive locked nucleic acids effect

ModelTypeLimits.RemarksReference
owc11*DNAOwczarzy et al., 2011

* Default model for computation.

Locked nucleic acids (AL, GL, TL and CL) are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Consecutive locked nucleic acids with single mismatch effect

ModelTypeLimits.RemarksReference
owc11*DNAOwczarzy et al., 2011

* Default model for computation.

Locked nucleic acids (AL, GL, TL and CL) are not taken into account by the approximative mode.

Ion corrections

Sodium corrections

CorrectionTypeLimits.RemarksReference
ahs01DNANa>0.von Ahsen et al., 2001
schlifDNANa>=0.07; Na<=0.12.Schildkraut and Lifson, 1965
tanna06DNANa>=0.001; Na<=1.Tan and Chen, 2006
tanna07*RNANa>=0.003; Na<=1.Tan and Chen, 2007
or
2'-O-MeRNA/RNA
wet91RNA,Na>0.Wetmur, 1991
DNA
and
RNA/DNA
kam71DNANa>0; Na>=0.069; Na<=1.02.Frank-Kamenetskii, 1971
marschdotDNANa>=0.069; Na<=1.02.Marmur and Doty, 1962; Blake
and Delcourt, 1998
owc1904DNANa>0. (equation 19)Owczarzy et al., 2004
owc2004DNANa>0. (equation 20)Owczarzy et al., 2004
owc2104DNANa>0. (equation 21)Owczarzy et al., 2004
owc2204*DNANa>0. (equation 22)Owczarzy et al., 2004
san96DNANa>=0.1.SantaLucia et al., 1996
san04DNANa>=0.05; Na<=1.1;SantaLucia and Hicks, 2004;
Oligonucleotides inferior toSantaLucia, 1998
16 bases.

* Default correction method for computation.

Magnesium corrections

CorrectionTypeLimits/RemarksReference
owcmg08*DNAMg>=0.0005; Mg<=0.6.Owczarzy et al., 2008
tanmg06DNAMg>=0.0001; Mg<=1; OligomerTan and Chen, 2006
length superior to 6 base
pairs.
tanmg07*RNAMg>=0.1; Mg<=0.3.Tan and Chen, 2007

* Default correction method for computation.

Mixed Sodium and Magnesium corrections

CorrectionTypeLimits.RemarksReference
owcmix08*DNAMg>=0.0005; Mg<=0.6;Owczarzy et al., 2008
Na+K+Tris/2>0.
tanmix07DNA,Mg>=0.1; Mg<=0.3;Tan and Chen, 2007
RNANa+K+Tris/2>=0.1;
orNa+K+Tris/2<=0.3.
2'-O-MeRNA/RNA

* Default correction method for computation.

The ion correction by Owczarzy et al. (2008) is used by default according to the [Mg2+]0.5 ⁄ [Mon+] ratio, where [Mon+] = [Na+] + [Tris+] + [K+] .

If,

[Mon+] = 0

Default sodium correction is used.

Ratio < 0.22,

Default sodium correction is used.

0.22 <= Ratio < 6

Default mixed Na and Mg correction is used.

Ratio >= 6

Default magnesium correction is used.

Note that [Tris+] is about half of the total tris buffer concentration.

Sodium equivalent concentration methods

CorrectionTypeLimits/RemarksReference
ahs01*DNAvon Ahsen et al., 2001
mit96DNAMitsuhashi, 1996
pey00DNAPeyret, 2000

* Default correction method for computation.

For the other types of hybridization, the DNA default correction is used. If there are other cations when an approximative approach is used, a sodium equivalence is automatically computed. In case of nearest neighbor approach, the sodium equivalence will be used only if a sodium correction is specified by the argument correction.ion.

Denaturing agent corrections

DMSO corrections

CorrectionTypeLimits/RemarksReference
ahs01*DNANot tested with experimentalvon Ahsen et al., 2001
results.
cul76DNANot tested with experimentalCullen and Bick, 1976
results.
esc80DNANot tested with experimentalEscara and Hutton, 1980
results.
mus81DNANot tested with experimentalMusielski et al., 1981
results.

* Default correction method for computation.

For the other types of hybridization, the DNA default correction is used. If there is DMSO when an approximative approach is used, a DMSO correction is automatically computed. In case of nearest neighbor approach and approximative approach, the DMSO correction will be used only if a sodium correction is specified by the argument correction.ion.

Formamide corrections

CorrectionTypeLimits/RemarksReference
bla96*DNAWith formamide concentrationBlake, 1996
in mol/L.
lincorrDNAWith a formamide volume.McConaughy et al., 1969;
Record, 1967; Casey and
Davidson, 1977; Hutton, 1977

* Default correction method for computation.

For the other types of hybridization, the DNA default correction is used. If there is formamide when an approximative approach is used, a formamide correction is automatically computed. In case of nearest neighbor approach and approximative approach, the formamide correction will be used only if a sodium correction is specified by the argument correction.ion.

References

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Record MT (1967). “Electrostatic effects on polynucleotide transitions. I. Behavior at neutral pH.” Biopolymers, 5(10), 975--992.

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See also

For more details about algorithm, formulae and methods, see the documentation for MELTING 5.

Examples


# Basic usage
melting(sequence = "CAGTGAGACAGCAATGGTCG", nucleic.acid.conc = 2e-06,
        hybridisation.type = "dnadna", Na.conc = 1)
#> [1] 73.35168

# For more detailed examples refer the vignette.
if (FALSE) {

browseVignettes(package = 'rmelting')
}