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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase
Published on: September 27, 2024
Model for helicase translocating along single-stranded DNA and unwinding double-stranded DNA
1Department of Physics, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Xiasha College Park, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China. pxie@aphy.iphy.ac.cn
Abstract:
A model is proposed for non-hexameric helicases translocating along single-stranded (ss) DNA and unwinding double-stranded (ds) DNA. The translocation of a monomeric helicase along ssDNA in weakly-ssDNA-bound state is driven by the Stokes force that is resulted from the conformational change following the transition of the nucleotide state. The unwinding of dsDNA is resulted mainly from the bending of ssDNA induced by the strong binding force of helicase with dsDNA. The interaction force between ssDNA and helicases in weakly-ssDNA-bound state determines whether monomeric helicases such as PcrA can unwind dsDNA or dimeric helicases such as Rep are required to unwind dsDNA.
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