Role of DNA-DNA interactions on the structure and thermodynamics of bacteriophages Lambda and P4.

ABSTRACT: Electrostatic interactions play an important role in both packaging of DNA inside bacteriophages and its release into bacterial cells. While at physiological conditions DNA strands repel each other, the presence of polyvalent cations such as spermine and spermidine in solutions leads to the formation of DNA condensates. In this study, we discuss packaging of DNA into bacteriophages P4 and Lambda under repulsive and attractive conditions using a coarse-grained model of DNA and capsids. Packaging under repulsive conditions leads to the appearance of the coaxial spooling conformations; DNA occupies all available space inside the capsid. Under the attractive potential both packed systems reveal toroidal conformations, leaving the central part of the capsids empty. We also present a detailed th

SUBMITTER: Petrov AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3056930 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature