Direct Observation of Multiple Pathways of Single-Stranded DNA Stretching

作者：Chen Wuen shiu^*; Chen Wei Hung; Chen Zephan; Gooding Ashton A; Lin Kuan Jiuh; Kiang Ching Hwa

来源：Physical Review Letters, 2010, 105(21): 218104.

DOI：10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.218104

We observed multiple pathways of stretching single-stranded polydeoxynucleotides, poly(dA). Poly(dA) has been shown to undergo unique transitions under mechanical force, and such transitions were attributed to the stacking characteristics of poly(dA). Using single-molecule manipulation studies, we found that poly(dA) has two stretching pathways at high forces. The previously observed pathway has a free energy that is less than what is expected of single-stranded DNA with a random sequence, indicating the existence of a novel conformation of poly(dA) at large extensions. We also observed stepwise transitions between the two pathways by pulling the molecule with constant force, and found that the transitions are cooperative. These results suggest that the unique mechanical property of poly(dA) may play an important role in biological processes such as gene expression.

• 出版日期2010-11-19