Abstract
The unzipping and rezipping of a double-stranded DNA molecule is carried out in the presence of two single-stranded binding proteins T4 gp32 and E. Coli SSB protein to determine the effect of the proteins on the stability of single- and double-stranded DNA. The proteins do not have a significant effect on unzipping, indicating that the two proteins do not destabilize the double-stranded DNA; however, both proteins inhibit rezipping. At protein concentrations where the rezipping force response is saturated, E. Coli SSB protein reduces the rezipping force to , while T4 gp32 completely blocks rezipping on the time scale of the experiment.
- Received 18 April 2007
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.76.021916
©2007 American Physical Society