Conformational transitions of DNA induced by changing water content of the sample: a theoretical study

A semi-phenomenological model with spatially distributed parameters is suggested to describe the processes of conformational transitions induced with change of water content of wet DNA samples. It allows describing conformational dynamics of DNA molecules with heterogeneous primary structures. It has been shown that the process of cooperative conformational transition can be simulated as propagating front of a new conformation. The evolution of a conformational perturbation of DNA molecule has been described. It can collapse for finite time or occupy the whole molecule depending on the water content of the sample.