title: A thermodynamic switch for chromosome colocalization.
abstract: A general model for the early recognition and colocalization of homologous DNA sequences is proposed. We show, on thermodynamic grounds, how the distance between two homologous DNA sequences is spontaneously regulated by the concentration and affinity of diffusible mediators binding them, which act as a switch between two phases corresponding to independence or colocalization of pairing regions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Complexity Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom. mario.nicodemi@na.infn.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicodemi
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Panning
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prisco
mesh_terms: D020090:Chromosome Segregation / Q000235:genetics*; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D004247:DNA