Intrinsic DNA Curvature of Double-Crossover Tiles

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical model analyzing how intrinsic DNA curvature influences the assembly size of double-crossover DNA tiles, with findings supported by experimental data.

Contribution

It introduces a vector-based model for DNA tile curvature and links curvature magnitude and normal mode frequencies to lattice formation.

Findings

Higher curvature magnitude hinders lattice growth

Tiles with higher normal mode frequencies also impede lattice formation

Model predictions align well with experimental observations

Abstract

A theoretical model which takes into account the structural distortion of double-crossover DNA tiles has been studied to investigate its effect on lattice formation sizes. It has been found that a single vector appropriately describes the curvature of the tiles, of which a higher magnitude hinders lattice growth. In conjunction with these calculations, normal mode analysis reveals that tiles with relative higher frequencies have an analogous effect. All the theoretical results are shown to be in good agreement with experimental data.