Torsional effect on the wrapping transition of a semiflexible polymer around a core as a model of nucleosome

Yuji Higuchi, Takahiro Sakaue, and Kenichi Yoshikawa
Phys. Rev. E 82, 031909 – Published 21 September 2010

Abstract

We investigated the effect of the torsional rigidity of a semiflexible chain on the wrapping transition around a spherical core, as a model of a nucleosome, the fundamental unit of chromatin. Through molecular dynamics simulation, we show that the torsional effect has a crucial effect on the chain wrapping around the core under the topological constraints. In particular, the torsional stress (i) induces the wrapping/unwrapping transition, and (ii) leads to a unique complex structure with an antagonistic wrapping direction which never appears without the topological constraints. We further examine the effect of the stretching stress for the nucleosome model in relation to the unique characteristic effect of the torsional stress on the manner of wrapping.

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  • Received 28 April 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.82.031909

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Yuji Higuchi

  • Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan

Takahiro Sakaue

  • Department of Physics, Kyushu University 33, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan and PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

Kenichi Yoshikawa*

  • Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan and Spatio-Temporal Order Project, ICORP, JST, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan

  • *yoshikaw@scphys.kyoto-u.ac.jp

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Vol. 82, Iss. 3 — September 2010

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