Condensation of circular DNA
Abstract
A simple model of a circularly closed dsDNA in a poor solvent is considered as an example of a semi-flexible polymer with self-attraction. To find the ground states, the conformational energy is computed as a sum of the bending and torsional elastic components and the effective self-attraction energy. The model includes a relative orientation or sequence dependence of the effective attraction forces between different pieces of the polymer chain. Two series of conformations are analysed: a multicovered circle (a toroid) and a multifold two-headed racquet. The results are presented as a diagram of state. It is suggested that the stability of particular conformations may be controlled by proper adjustment of the primary structure. Application of the model to other semi-flexible polymers is considered.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1304.1747,
title = {Condensation of circular DNA},
author = {E. L. Starostin},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1304.1747},
year = {2013}
}
Comments
22 pages, 11 figures, to appear in J. Chem. Phys