title: DNA topology in chromosomes: a quantitative survey and its physiological implications.
abstract: Using a simple geometric model, we propose a general method for computing the linking number of the DNA embedded in chromatin fibers. The relevance of the method is reviewed through the single molecule experiments that have been performed in vitro with magnetic tweezers. We compute the linking number of the DNA in the manifold conformational states of the nucleosome which have been evidenced in these experiments and discuss the functional dynamics of chromosomes in the light of these manifold states.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Physique Théorique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS UMR 7600, and CNRS GDR 3536, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Case courrier 121, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 , Paris, France, barbi@lptmc.jussieu.fr.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbi
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mozziconacci
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Victor
mesh_terms: D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D009707:Nucleosomes; D004247:DNA; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases