title: Dynamics of force-induced DNA slippage.
abstract: We study the base pairing dynamics of DNA with repetitive sequences where local strand slippage can create, annihilate, and move bulge loops. Using an explicit theoretical model, we find a rich dynamical behavior as a function of an applied shear force f: reptationlike dynamics at f=f(c) with a rupture time tau scaling as N3 with its length N, drift-diffusion dynamics for f(c)<f<f(*), and a dynamical transition to an unraveling mode of strand separation at f=f(*). We predict a viscoelastic behavior for periodic DNA with time and force scales that can be programmed into its sequence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and CENS, LMU München, Theresienstrasse 37, 80333 München, Germany. Richard.Neher@physik.lmu.de
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Neher
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gerland
mesh_terms: D020029:Base Pairing / Q000502:physiology*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D004247:DNA