The thermodynamics of DNA loop formation, from J to Z

Authors

Stephen D. Levene
Stefan M. Giovan
Andreas Hanke, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Massa J. Shoura

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2013

Abstract

The formation of DNA loops is a ubiquitous theme in biological processes, including DNA replication, recombination and repair, and gene regulation. These loops are mediated by proteins bound at specific sites along the contour of a single DNA molecule, in some cases many thousands of base pairs apart. Loop formation incurs a thermodynamic cost that is a sensitive function of the length of looped DNA as well as the geometry and elastic properties of the DNA-bound protein. The free energy of DNA looping is logarithmically related to a generalization of the Jacobson-Stockmayer factor for DNA cyclization, termed the J factor. In the present article, we review the thermodynamic origins of this quantity, discuss how it is measured experimentally and connect the macroscopic interpretation of the J factor with a statistical-mechanical description of DNA looping and cyclization.

Comments

Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1042/bst20120324

Recommended Citation

Levene, Stephen D et al. “The thermodynamics of DNA loop formation, from J to Z.” Biochemical Society transactions vol. 41,2 (2013): 513-8. doi:10.1042/BST20120324

Publication Title

Biochemical Society transactions

DOI

10.1042/BST20120324