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Helicase activity on DNA as a propagating front

Somendra M. Bhattacharjee
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Abstract

We develop a propagating front analysis, in terms of a local probability of zipping, for the helicase activity of opening up a double stranded DNA (dsDNA). In a fixed-distance ensemble (conjugate to the fixed-force ensemble) the front separates the zipped and unzipped phases of a dsDNA and a drive acts locally around the front. Bounds from variational analysis and numerical estimates for the speed of a helicase are obtained. Different types of helicase behaviours can be distinguished by the nature of the drive.

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Somendra M. Bhattacharjee. 2004-03-18. Helicase activity on DNA as a propagating front. https://doi.org/10.1209/epl%2Fi2003-10107-2

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