Issue 41, 2013

Chiral effects in dual-DNA braiding

Abstract

The biologically important problem of DNA braiding was studied in the past by means of dual-DNA magnetic tweezer experiments. In such experiments, two DNA molecules are braided about each other using an externally imposed force and torque. Here we develop a theoretical model of molecular braiding that includes interactions between molecules, thermal fluctuations, and the elastic response of molecules, all in a consistent manner. This is useful to study the chiral effects of helix-dependent electrostatic interactions on the braid's equilibrium geometrical and mechanical properties. When helix-dependent forces are weak, our model yields a reasonably accurate reproduction of previously measured extension–rotation curves, where only very slight chirality has been observed. On the other hand, when helix-specific electrostatic forces are strong, the model predicts several new features of the extension–rotation curves. These are: (a) a distinct asymmetry between left-handed and right-handed DNA braiding; (b) the emergence, under a critical pulling force, of coexistence regions of tightly and loosely wound DNA; (c) spontaneous formation of left-handed DNA braids at zero external torque (zero bead rotations). Strong chiral forces are expected for braiding experiments conducted in solutions in which there are counter-ions that bind specifically in the DNA grooves.

Graphical abstract: Chiral effects in dual-DNA braiding

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Jun 2013
Accepted
21 Aug 2013
First published
21 Aug 2013

Soft Matter, 2013,9, 9833-9848

Chiral effects in dual-DNA braiding

D. J. Lee, R. Cortini, A. P. Korte, E. L. Starostin, G. H. M. van der Heijden and A. A. Kornyshev, Soft Matter, 2013, 9, 9833 DOI: 10.1039/C3SM51573G

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