Driving proteins off DNA using applied tension.
Proteins that bind DNA so as to reduce its end-to-end length can be dissociated by application of force. The thermodynamics of this process are discussed, with special attention to the case of histones bound to DNA (i.e., a string of nucleosomes, or chromatin fiber). The histone octamer is predicted to be driven off chromatin fiber for tensions >2 piconewtons.
Marko
J F
JF
Department of Physics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, 60607-7059, USA. marko@isolda.phy.uic.edu
Siggia
E D
ED
D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013816:Thermodynamics
D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D011506:Proteins; D004247:DNA