Helical correlations in curved DNA condensates.

ABSTRACT: DNA-DNA interactions at work in chromosome shaping and sequence recognition take place in dense and confined environments. Theory and simulation have predicted that, at small separation, interactions between double helices are helically modulated, leading to correlations, a phenomenon poorly documented experimentally. In particular, helical correlations are not compatible with curvature, a general feature of DNA dense states in vitro and in vivo. Using cryo electron microscopy of DNA toroids obtained in vitro in the presence of a condensing agent, we analyze helical correlations in curved condensates. We show that in-phase helix alignments are preferred over a wide range of ionic concentrations. Optimization of helical correlations in a curved assembly is achieved through rearrangements wi

SUBMITTER: Vertchik K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12526139 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature