Fig. 5: Supercoiling instability of DNA origami rings. | Nature Communications

Fig. 5: Supercoiling instability of DNA origami rings.

From: Predicting the effect of binding molecules on the shape and mechanical properties of structured DNA assemblies

Fig. 5

a Supercoiling of ring structures. DNA origami ring structures with 4HB, 6HB, and 10HB cross-sections were simulated and quantified as Lk (linking number), Tw (twist), and Wr (writhe). The structures deformed into a positive supercoiled shape to compensate for the negative torsional strain caused by EtBr-binding. b Experimental observation. AFM images of the 4HB ring structure were demonstrated for different EtBr concentration values along with images of the 6HB and 10HB ring structures in our prior literature13. c Analysis of ring structures. The dynamic trajectories of the writhe and twist of ring structures showed the supercoiling dependency on the EtBr number. d Critical twist angle. The ring structures showed a threshold response by increasing the EtBr number. The critical twist angle values of supercoiling in simulated and experimental conformations were compared with Mitchell’s approach, positively related to the number of comprising helices of DNA structures.

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