WSEAS Transactions on Mathematics
Print ISSN: 1109-2769, E-ISSN: 2224-2880
Volume 13, 2014
A Continuum Model for Condensation of DNA in Solution
Authors: , , ,
Abstract: As a coarse-gained model, an anisotropic super-thin elastic rod subjected to interfacial interactions is used to investigate the condensation of DNA segment. The interfacial pressure distributes on the surface of rod, and is determined in terms of the Young-Laplace equation. The influences of the interfacial factor, initial curvature, anisotropic bend ability and salt solution concentration on the formation of DNA segment are discussed, and DNA loop under different solution environment is studied. The simulated results show that DNA segment will undergo a series of alteration with the change of the solution environment, initial restriction, the shape of DNA rod cross- section and ionic strength. The total size of DNA segments under the interfacial energy and elastic strain reduce many times from the original shape, which is used to explain why several millimeter lengths of DNA can fit inside a cell of diameter 1 μm. The DNA loop exerts diverse forces upon the protein clamp at the end under different solution environment.
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Keywords: DNA configuration, Interfacial traction, Solution environment, Anisotropic modulus of DNA bending, DNA loop
Pages: 704-713
WSEAS Transactions on Mathematics, ISSN / E-ISSN: 1109-2769 / 2224-2880, Volume 13, 2014, Art. #69