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Biophysical Chemistry
Volume 73, Issues 1-2, 13 July 1998, Pages 23-29
 
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doi:10.1016/S0301-4622(98)00115-X    How to Cite or Link Using DOI (Opens New Window)
Copyright © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. All rights reserved

Osmotic compaction of supercoiled DNA into a bacterial nucleoid

Theo Odijk*

Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5045, 2600 GA Delft, Netherlands

Received 9 August 1997;
revised 9 February 1998;
accepted 9 February 1998.
Available online 24 November 1998.

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Abstract

A theory is presented of the phase separation of supercoiled DNA into a nucleoid in a bacterial cell. The suspension consists of DNA interacting with globular proteins in excess salt. A cross virial between DNA and a protein is computed as well as the DNA self-energy arising from excluded volume. The cellular parameters of Escherichia coli would appear to be compatible with the thermodynamic equilibrium derived theoretically. The state of superhelical DNA in the nucleoid could be liquid crystalline and rippled.

Author Keywords: Supercoiled DNA; Bacterial cell; Phase separation; Liquid crystal; Nucleoid; Proteins

Article Outline

1. Introduction
2. Free energy terms within a cell
2.1. Proteins
2.2. Protein–DNA interactions
2.3. DNA self-interaction
3. Phase separation
4. Liquid-crystalline state within the nucleoid
5. Discussion
Acknowledgements
References

Biophysical Chemistry
Volume 73, Issues 1-2, 13 July 1998, Pages 23-29
 
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