Sequence-Dependent Persistence Length of Long DNA

Phys Rev Lett. 2017 Dec 1;119(22):227802. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.227802. Epub 2017 Nov 29.

Abstract

Using a high-throughput genome-mapping approach, we obtained circa 50 million measurements of the extension of internal human DNA segments in a 41 nm×41 nm nanochannel. The underlying DNA sequences, obtained by mapping to the reference human genome, are 2.5-393 kilobase pairs long and contain percent GC contents between 32.5% and 60%. Using Odijk's theory for a channel-confined wormlike chain, these data reveal that the DNA persistence length increases by almost 20% as the percent GC content increases. The increased persistence length is rationalized by a model, containing no adjustable parameters, that treats the DNA as a statistical terpolymer with a sequence-dependent intrinsic persistence length and a sequence-independent electrostatic persistence length.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods
  • Humans
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • DNA