arXiv · 0801.3067
Molecular dynamics simulation of multivalent ion mediated DNA attraction
Abstract
All atom molecular dynamics simulations with explicit water were done to study the interaction between two parallel double-stranded DNA molecules in the presence of the multivalent counterions putrescine (2+), spermidine (3+), spermine (4+) and cobalt hexamine (3+). The inter-DNA interaction potential is obtained with the umbrella sampling technique. The attractive force is rationalized in terms of the formation of ion bridges, i.e. multivalent ions which are simultaneously bound to the two opposing DNA molecules. The lifetime of the ion bridges is short on the order of a few nanoseconds.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Liang Dai, Yuguang Mu, Lars Nordenskiold, Johan R. C. van der Maarel. 2008-01-20. Molecular dynamics simulation of multivalent ion mediated DNA attraction. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.100.118301
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.