Comment on "Remeasuring the double helix".
Mathew-Fenn et al. (Reports, 17 October 2008, p. 446) reported unexpected distance fluctuations in short end-labeled DNA constructs and interpreted them as evidence for cooperative DNA stretching modes. We show that when accounting for a subtle linker leverage effect, their data can be understood within standard noncooperative DNA elasticity.
Becker
Nils B
NB
Centre Blaise Pascal et Laboratoire de Physique, CNRS UMR 5672, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université de Lyon, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69007 Lyon, France.
Everaers
Ralf
R
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D006046:Gold; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry
D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA