Wormlike Chain Theory and Bending of Short DNA

Alexey K. Mazur
Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 218102 – Published 24 May 2007

Abstract

The probability distributions for bending angles in double helical DNA obtained in all-atom molecular dynamics simulations are compared with theoretical predictions. The computed distributions remarkably agree with the wormlike chain theory and qualitatively differ from predictions of the subelastic chain model. The computed data exhibit only small anomalies in the apparent flexibility of short DNA and cannot account for the recently reported AFM data. It is possible that the current atomistic DNA models miss some essential mechanisms of DNA bending on intermediate length scales. Analysis of bent DNA structures reveal, however, that the bending motion is structurally heterogeneous and directionally anisotropic on the length scales where the experimental anomalies were detected. These effects are essential for interpretation of the experimental data and they also can be responsible for the apparent discrepancy.

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  • Received 27 February 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.218102

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Alexey K. Mazur*

  • CNRS UPR9080, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris,75005, France

  • *Electronic address: alexey@ibpc.fr

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Issue

Vol. 98, Iss. 21 — 25 May 2007

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