Quantifying how DNA stretches, melts and changes twist under tension

P. Gross; N. Laurens; L.B. Oddershede; U. Bockelmann; E.J.G. Peterman; G.J.L. Wuite

doi:10.1038/NPHYS2002

Quantifying how DNA stretches, melts and changes twist under tension

P. Gross, N. Laurens, L.B. Oddershede, U. Bockelmann, E.J.G. Peterman, G.J.L. Wuite

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

In cells, DNA is constantly twisted, bent and stretched by numerous proteins mediating genome transactions. Understanding these essential biological processes requires in-depth knowledge of how DNA complies to mechanical stress. Two important physical features of DNA, helical structure and sequence, are not incorporated in current descriptions of DNA elasticity. Here we connect well-defined force-extension measurements with a new model for DNA elasticity: the twistable worm-like chain, in which DNA is considered a helical, elastic entity that complies to tension by extending and twisting. In addition, we reveal hitherto unnoticed stick-slip dynamics during DNA overstretching at 65pN, caused by the loss of base-pairing interactions. An equilibrium thermodynamic model solely based on DNA sequence and elasticity is presented, which captures the full complexity of this transition. These results offer deep quantitative insight in the physical properties of DNA and present a new standard description of DNA mechanics. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	731-736
Number of pages	6
Journal	Nature Physics
Volume	7
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/NPHYS2002
Publication status	Published - 2011

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title = "Quantifying how DNA stretches, melts and changes twist under tension",

abstract = "In cells, DNA is constantly twisted, bent and stretched by numerous proteins mediating genome transactions. Understanding these essential biological processes requires in-depth knowledge of how DNA complies to mechanical stress. Two important physical features of DNA, helical structure and sequence, are not incorporated in current descriptions of DNA elasticity. Here we connect well-defined force-extension measurements with a new model for DNA elasticity: the twistable worm-like chain, in which DNA is considered a helical, elastic entity that complies to tension by extending and twisting. In addition, we reveal hitherto unnoticed stick-slip dynamics during DNA overstretching at 65pN, caused by the loss of base-pairing interactions. An equilibrium thermodynamic model solely based on DNA sequence and elasticity is presented, which captures the full complexity of this transition. These results offer deep quantitative insight in the physical properties of DNA and present a new standard description of DNA mechanics. {\textcopyright} 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.",

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T1 - Quantifying how DNA stretches, melts and changes twist under tension

AU - Gross, P.

AU - Laurens, N.

AU - Oddershede, L.B.

AU - Bockelmann, U.

AU - Peterman, E.J.G.

AU - Wuite, G.J.L.

PY - 2011

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N2 - In cells, DNA is constantly twisted, bent and stretched by numerous proteins mediating genome transactions. Understanding these essential biological processes requires in-depth knowledge of how DNA complies to mechanical stress. Two important physical features of DNA, helical structure and sequence, are not incorporated in current descriptions of DNA elasticity. Here we connect well-defined force-extension measurements with a new model for DNA elasticity: the twistable worm-like chain, in which DNA is considered a helical, elastic entity that complies to tension by extending and twisting. In addition, we reveal hitherto unnoticed stick-slip dynamics during DNA overstretching at 65pN, caused by the loss of base-pairing interactions. An equilibrium thermodynamic model solely based on DNA sequence and elasticity is presented, which captures the full complexity of this transition. These results offer deep quantitative insight in the physical properties of DNA and present a new standard description of DNA mechanics. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

AB - In cells, DNA is constantly twisted, bent and stretched by numerous proteins mediating genome transactions. Understanding these essential biological processes requires in-depth knowledge of how DNA complies to mechanical stress. Two important physical features of DNA, helical structure and sequence, are not incorporated in current descriptions of DNA elasticity. Here we connect well-defined force-extension measurements with a new model for DNA elasticity: the twistable worm-like chain, in which DNA is considered a helical, elastic entity that complies to tension by extending and twisting. In addition, we reveal hitherto unnoticed stick-slip dynamics during DNA overstretching at 65pN, caused by the loss of base-pairing interactions. An equilibrium thermodynamic model solely based on DNA sequence and elasticity is presented, which captures the full complexity of this transition. These results offer deep quantitative insight in the physical properties of DNA and present a new standard description of DNA mechanics. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

U2 - 10.1038/NPHYS2002

DO - 10.1038/NPHYS2002

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Quantifying how DNA stretches, melts and changes twist under tension

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