6533b86cfe1ef96bd12c8352
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Effective stiffening of DNA due to nematic ordering causes DNA molecules packed in phage capsids to preferentially form torus knots.
Andrzej StasiakDaniel ReithPeter VirnauPeter Cifrasubject
Models MolecularBacteriophages/genetics; Capsid/chemistry; DNA Viral/chemistry; Models Molecular; Virus AssemblyvirusesBacteriophageQuantitative Biology::Subcellular Processeschemistry.chemical_compoundCapsidstomatognathic systemLiquid crystalStructural BiologyGeneticsMoleculeBacteriophagesDna viralQuantitative Biology::BiomoleculesbiologyVirus Assemblyfood and beveragesTorusbiology.organism_classificationVirologyQuantitative Biology::GenomicsMathematics::Geometric TopologyStiffeningsurgical procedures operativechemistryCapsidDNA ViralBiophysicsDNAdescription
Observation that DNA molecules in bacteriophage capsids preferentially form torus type of knots provided a sensitive gauge to evaluate various models of DNA arrangement in phage heads. Only models resulting in a preponderance of torus knots could be considered as close to reality. Recent studies revealed that experimentally observed enrichment of torus knots can be qualitatively reproduced in numerical simulations that include a potential inducing nematic arrangement of tightly packed DNA molecules within phage capsids. Here, we investigate what aspects of the nematic arrangement are crucial for inducing formation of torus knots. Our results indicate that the effective stiffening of DNA by the nematic arrangement not only promotes knotting in general but is also the decisive factor in promoting formation of DNA torus knots in phage capsids.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-02-25 | Nucleic acids research |