• Featured in Physics

Exons, Introns, and DNA Thermodynamics

Enrico Carlon, Mehdi Lejard Malki, and Ralf Blossey
Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 178101 – Published 2 May 2005
Physics logo

Abstract

The genes of eukaryotes are characterized by protein coding fragments, the exons, interrupted by introns, i.e., stretches of DNA which do not carry useful information for protein synthesis. We have analyzed the melting behavior of randomly selected human cDNA sequences obtained from genomic DNA by removing all introns. A clear correspondence is observed between exons and melting domains. This finding may provide new insights into the physical mechanisms underlying the evolution of genes.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
1 More
  • Received 5 October 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.178101

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Enrico Carlon1, Mehdi Lejard Malki1,2, and Ralf Blossey1

  • 1Interdisciplinary Research Institute c/o IEMN, Cité Scientifique, BP 60069, F-59652 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
  • 2Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Physique de Strasbourg (ENSPS), Parc d’innovation, BP 10413, F-67412 Illkirch, France

See Also

Melting into Our Genes

Adrian Cho
Phys. Rev. Focus 15, 17 (2005)

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 94, Iss. 17 — 6 May 2005

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×