title: Symmetries of interacting helices of charge.
abstract: We analytically examine the pair interaction for parallel discrete helices of charge. Symmetry arguments allow for the free energy to be decomposed into a sum of terms, each of which has an intuitive geometric interpretation. Truncated Fourier expansions of these terms are shown to provide effective free energy expressions that are valid under very general circumstances. These expressions are used to briefly examine and characterize the azimuthal interactions within F-actin and A-DNA aggregates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1547, USA. landy@physics.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Landy
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rudnick
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry*; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009995:Osmosis; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011485:Protein Binding; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water; D004247:DNA