Biancaniello Paul L, Kim Anthony J, Crocker John C
Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Biophys J. 2008 Feb 1;94(3):891-6. doi: 10.1529/biophysj.107.108449. Epub 2007 Oct 5.
We probe DNA hybridization kinetics by measuring the lifetime distribution of single 16-bp duplexes under thermal dissociation. Our unique approach, based on two DNA-coated microspheres in an extended optical tweezer, allows the study of single duplex DNA molecules under negligible molecular tension. In contrast to earlier experiments, we find a stretched exponential lifetime distribution, which is likely due to dissociation proceeding via a number of competing pathways between highly force-sensitive intermediate states. Similar measurements of microspheres linked by multiple DNA bridges find they have unexpected short bound lifetimes, also consistent with force sensitivity.
我们通过测量单链16碱基对双链体在热解离下的寿命分布来探究DNA杂交动力学。我们独特的方法基于在扩展光镊中的两个DNA包被微球,能够在可忽略分子张力的情况下研究单个双链DNA分子。与早期实验不同,我们发现了拉伸指数寿命分布,这可能是由于解离通过多个高力敏感中间态之间的竞争途径进行。对由多个DNA桥连接的微球进行的类似测量发现,它们具有意想不到的短结合寿命,这也与力敏感性一致。