The energetics of self-structure induction in polyadenylic acid in the presence of proflavine has been studied using isothermal titration calorimetry. The self-structure induction process was exothermic and driven by large positive entropy change. The equilibrium constant at T = (298.15 +/- 0.01) K and [Na+] = (130 +/- 0.01) mM was calculated to be (1.01 +/- 0.08) . 10(6) M-1. Salt dependent calorimetric studies revealed that the equilibrium constant increased with increasing [Na+] in the 50-130 mM range suggesting enhanced binding preference at higher salt concentrations, apparently due to easier self-structure formation at higher [Na+]. Dissection of the standard molar Gibbs energy change clearly established that the self-structure induction was driven by non-polyelectrolytic forces and the polyelectrolytic contribution was relatively small. The equilibrium constant decreased with increasing temperature indicating destabilization of the self-structure at higher temperatures. Negative standard molar heat capacity value obtained from the temperature dependence of the enthalpy change suggested that hydrophobic forces are important for the self-structure induction. Furthermore, a complete enthalpy-entropy compensation phenomenon was also observed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.