Single-molecule experiments reveal substantial molecule-to-molecule variation in the Mg2+-induced isomerization dynamics of Holliday junctions (HJs). Effective ergodicity breaking of time trajectories results in the partitioning of HJ dynamics into multiple clusters. The observed dynamical heterogeneity is a consequence of various internal multiloop conformations that are frozen by Mg2+ ions.
- Changbong Hyeon
- Jinwoo Lee
- D. Thirumalai