Mechanics of DNA : Sequence Dependent Elasticity
2011
We have used constant force axial optical tweezers to understand the subtle eects of sequence variations on the
mechanical properties of DNA. Using designed sequences of DNA with nearly identical curvatures, but varied AT
content, we have shown the persistence length to be highly dependent on the elasticity of DNA. The persistence
length varies by almost thirty percent between sequences containing 61% AT and 45% AT. The biological
implications of this can be substantial, as the need to bend DNA is involved in a host of regulatory schemes,
ranging from nucleosome positioning to the formation of protein-mediated repressor and enhancer loops.
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