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Surface-induced DNA superhelicity.

Y S Velichko1, K Yoshikawa, A R Khokhlov

  • 1Graduate School of Human Informatics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.

Biomacromolecules
|November 17, 2001
PubMed
Summary
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Biopolymer adsorption on surfaces alters chain conformation. Monte Carlo simulations reveal that surface-adsorbed, twisted double-stranded polymers gain superhelical twisting, especially those with weaker initial twists.

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Polymer Physics
  • Computational Chemistry

Background:

  • Biopolymers like DNA often form double-stranded, twisted, and supercoiled structures.
  • Atomic force microscopy is widely used for biopolymer conformational analysis.
  • Surface adsorption during sample preparation can influence molecular conformation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the conformational changes of circular, semiflexible, twisted, double-stranded polymer chains upon adsorption onto a solid surface.
  • To understand how the degree of double-helical twisting affects adsorption-induced conformational properties.
  • To analyze the relationship between superhelicity and writhing in adsorbed polymer chains.

Main Methods:

  • Monte Carlo simulations were employed to model the adsorption process.

Related Experiment Videos

  • The study focused on circular, semiflexible, twisted, double-stranded polymer chains.
  • Conformational properties, including superhelicity and writhing, were analyzed.

    • Main Results:

    • Adsorbed chain conformation is highly dependent on the initial number of double-helical turns.
    • Chains with weaker initial twisting exhibit increased superhelical twisting upon adsorption, contrasting with their coiled state in solution.
    • Adsorption leads to accumulation of double-helical turns in adsorbed segments, enhancing the freedom of non-adsorbed segments.

    Conclusions:

    • Surface adsorption significantly impacts the supercoiling of twisted double-stranded polymers.
    • The degree of initial twisting dictates the extent of conformational changes upon adsorption.
    • Superhelicity and writhing exhibit opposite signs, a consistent observation across different twisting strengths.