DNA force-extension curve under uniaxial stretching

Hamid Dalir, Takasi Nisisako, Yasuko Yanagida, Takeshi Hatsuzawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Single-molecule experiments indicate that a double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) increases in length if put under tension greater than 10pN; beyond this point, its conformation can no longer be described using an inextensible worm-like chain model. For this purpose, a general sequence-dependent elastic model for tensions greater than 10pN and for both single-stranded (ss) and ds-DNA is proposed, and the effective elastic bending and torsional rigidities are determined from experiments to characterise their deformation. The key to this progress is that the bending and torsional deformations of the DNA backbones, the base-stacking interactions and the hydrogen bond force between the complementary base pairs are quantitatively considered in this model. Moreover, this simple elastic model can be used to globally fit to the abrupt B-S experimental transition data over a wide range of DNA molecule extensions. Based on this robust model, further study may be warranted on the mechanical response of ss- and ds-DNA molecules.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)221-228
Number of pages8
JournalMolecular Simulation
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2010

Keywords

  • Base-stacking interactions
  • Double-helical DNA structure
  • Hydrogen bond forces
  • Mechanical properties
  • Single-molecule manipulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Information Systems
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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