Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Forth S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3136780 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Biophysical journal 20110701 2
DNA experiences torsional stress resulting from the activities of motor enzymes and bound proteins. The mechanisms by which this torsional stress is dissipated to maintain DNA structural integrity are not fully known. Here, we show that a Holliday junction can limit torsion by coupling rotation to translocation and torque to force. The torque required to mechanically migrate through individual junctions was found to be an order of magnitude smaller than that required to melt DNA. We also directl ...[more]