title: Small DNA circles as probes of DNA topology.
abstract: Small DNA circles can occur in Nature, for example as protein-constrained loops, and can be synthesized by a number of methods. Such small circles provide tractable systems for the study of the structure, thermodynamics and molecular dynamics of closed-circular DNA. In the present article, we review the occurrence and synthesis of small DNA circles, and examine their utility in studying the properties of DNA and DNA-protein interactions. In particular, we highlight the analysis of small circles using atomistic simulations.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K.
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noy
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Piperakis
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maxwell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004270:DNA, Circular / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004270:DNA, Circular; D015335:Molecular Probes; D011506:Proteins