DNA: An Extensible Molecule
- 9 February 1996
- journal article
- other
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 271 (5250), 792-794
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.271.5250.792
Abstract
The force-displacement response of a single duplex DNA molecule was measured. The force saturates at a plateau around 70 piconewtons, which ends when the DNA has been stretched about 1.7 times its contour length. This behavior reveals a highly cooperative transition to a state here termed S-DNA. Addition of an intercalator suppresses this transition. Molecular modeling of the process also yields a force plateau and suggests a structure for the extended form. These results may shed light on biological processes involving DNA extension and open the route for mechanical studies on individual molecules in a previously unexplored range.Keywords
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