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Sequence Effect on the Bending Elasticity of Double-Stranded DNA
Hai-Long Dong1,2, Chen-Chen Zheng2, Ting Yu3
1College of Physics and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|February 12, 2026
Summary
DNA sequence significantly impacts its bending stiffness, with increased DNA crookedness reducing flexibility. A new predictive model links DNA sequence to bending persistence length, aiding DNA-protein interaction studies.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- DNA elasticity is vital for biological processes like DNA-protein binding.
- Sequence-dependent variations in DNA structure influence its mechanical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how DNA sequence affects its bending elasticity.
- To develop a predictive model for DNA bending persistence length based on sequence.
Main Methods:
- All-atom molecular dynamics simulations.
- Analysis of DNA crookedness and base-pair inclination.
- Development and validation of a predictive model using experimental data.
Main Results:
- Increased DNA crookedness correlates with decreased bending stiffness.
- A quantitative model accurately predicts DNA bending persistence length from sequence.
- Base-pair inclination and specific Lennard-Jones interactions are key to flexibility.
Conclusions:
- DNA sequence dictates bending flexibility through local structural features.
- The developed model provides insights into sequence-dependent DNA mechanics.
- This work facilitates understanding of DNA-protein recognition mechanisms.
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