2001/08/06 by Thomas C. Bishop, Bishop, Thomas C., Oleksandr O. Zhmudsky +1
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Physics and Astronomy · #Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph) #DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry #FOS: Biological sciences #FOS: Physical sciences #Quantitative Biology (q-bio) #physics.bio-ph #q-bio
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/0108008
21 LaTeX pages
arxiv created 2001/08/06 · openalex publication_date 2001/08/06 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A theoretical framework for evaluating the approximate energy and dynamic properties associated with the folding of DNA into nucleosomes and chromatin is presented. For this purpose experimentally determined elastic constants of linear DNA and a simple fold geometry are assumed to derive constants for the higher order folding. The model predicts the correct order of magnitude for the experimentally determined Young's and shear modulus of condensed chromatin. Thus we have demonstrated that the elastic properties of DNA are the primary determinant of the elastic properties of each folded state. The derived elastic constants are then used to predict the speed of propagation of small amplitude waves. It is shown that extension/compression, twist, bend or shear waves can be excite in each folded state.