An introduction to the mechanics of DNA.
This article gives an overview of recent research on the mechanical properties and spatial deformations of the DNA molecule. Globally the molecule behaves like a uniform elastic rod, and its twisting and writhing govern its compaction and packaging within a cell. Meanwhile high mechanical stresses can induce structural transitions of DNA giving, for example, a phase diagram in the space of the applied tension and torque. Locally, the mechanical properties vary according to the local sequence organization. These variations play a vital role in the biological functioning of the molecule.
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, UK.
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D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004548:Elasticity; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009038:Motion; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D019415:Torque
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004247:DNA