Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018;1092:11-39. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95294-9_2.
We review the current understanding of the mechanics of DNA and DNA-protein complexes, from scales of base pairs up to whole chromosomes. Mechanics of the double helix as revealed by single-molecule experiments will be described, with an emphasis on the role of polymer statistical mechanics. We will then discuss how topological constraints- entanglement and supercoiling-impact physical and mechanical responses. Models for protein-DNA interactions, including effects on polymer properties of DNA of DNA-bending proteins will be described, relevant to behavior of protein-DNA complexes in vivo. We also discuss control of DNA entanglement topology by DNA-lengthwise-compaction machinery acting in concert with topoisomerases. Finally, the chapter will conclude with a discussion of relevance of several aspects of physical properties of DNA and chromatin to oncology.
我们综述了 DNA 及其与蛋白质复合物的力学特性的现有认识，从碱基对尺度到整个染色体。将描述单分子实验揭示的双螺旋力学，重点介绍聚合物统计力学的作用。然后，我们将讨论拓扑约束（缠结和超螺旋）如何影响物理和力学响应。将描述包括 DNA 弯曲蛋白对 DNA 性质影响的蛋白质-DNA 相互作用模型，这与体内蛋白质-DNA 复合物的行为有关。我们还讨论了 DNA 缠结拓扑的控制，这是由与拓扑异构酶协同作用的 DNA 长度压缩机制实现的。最后，该章节将讨论 DNA 和染色质的物理性质的几个方面与肿瘤学的相关性。
