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Sequence Recognition in the Pairing of DNA Duplexes

A. A. Kornyshev and S. Leikin
Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3666 – Published 16 April 2001
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Abstract

Pairing of DNA fragments with homologous sequences occurs in gene shuffling, DNA repair, and other vital processes. While chemical individuality of base pairs is hidden inside the double helix, x ray and NMR revealed sequence-dependent modulation of the structure of DNA backbone. Here we show that the resulting modulation of the DNA surface charge pattern enables duplexes longer than 50 base pairs to recognize sequence homology electrostatically at a distance of up to several water layers. This may explain the local recognition observed in pairing of homologous chromosomes and the observed length dependence of homologous recombination.

  • Received 20 July 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.3666

©2001 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

A. A. Kornyshev

  • Research Center “Jülich,” D-52425 Jülich, Germany

S. Leikin*

  • Laboratory of Physical and Structural Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892

  • *Corresponding author.Email address: leikin@helix.nih.gov

See Also

DNA Need Not Unzip

Phys. Rev. Focus 7, 19 (2001)

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Vol. 86, Iss. 16 — 16 April 2001

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