Fine mapping of inherent flexibility variation along DNA molecules. Validation by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in buffer

摘要: Curvature and flexibility are structural properties of central importance to genome function. However, due the difficulties in finding suitable experimental conditions, methods for studying one without interference other have proven be difficult. We propose a new approach that provides measure inherent DNA by taking advantage two powerful techniques, X-ray crystallography nuclear magnetic resonance. Both techniques able detect local curvature on fragments but, while first analyzes solid state, second works solution. Comparison data sets allowed us calculate relative contribution three rotations translations, which relate successive base pair planes ten different dinucleotide steps. These values were then used compute variation along given nucleotide sequence. This validate method experimentally through comparisons with maps fluctuations molecule trajectory constructed from atomic force microscopy imaging conclude six dinucleotide-step parameters defined here provide tool exploration structure and, consequently will make an important our understanding DNA-sequence-dependent biological processes.