title: Tension on dsDNA bound to ssDNA-RecA filaments may play an important role in driving efficient and accurate homology recognition and strand exchange.
abstract: It is well known that during homology recognition and strand exchange the double stranded DNA (dsDNA) in DNA/RecA filaments is highly extended, but the functional role of the extension has been unclear. We present an analytical model that calculates the distribution of tension in the extended dsDNA during strand exchange. The model suggests that the binding of additional dsDNA base pairs to the DNA/RecA filament alters the tension in dsDNA that was already bound to the filament, resulting in a non-linear increase in the mechanical energy as a function of the number of bound base pairs. This collective mechanical response may promote homology stringency and underlie unexplained experimental results.
authors: Harvard University, Department of Physics, Cambridge, MA, 02138.
authors: Julea
authors: J
authors: Vlassakis
authors: Harvard University, Department of Physics, Cambridge, MA, 02138.
authors: Efraim
authors: E
authors: Feinstein
authors: Harvard University, Department of Physics, Cambridge, MA, 02138.
authors: Darren
authors: D
authors: Yang
authors: Harvard University, Department of Physics, Cambridge, MA, 02138.
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Tilloy
authors: Harvard University, Department of Physics, Cambridge, MA, 02138.
authors: Dominic
authors: D
authors: Weiller
authors: Harvard University, Department of Physics, Cambridge, MA, 02138.
authors: Julian
authors: J
authors: Kates-Harbeck
authors: Harvard University, Department of Physics, Cambridge, MA, 02138.
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Coljee
authors: Harvard University, Department of Physics, Cambridge, MA, 02138.
authors: Mara
authors: M
authors: Prentiss