Nucleosome response to tension and torque

We investigate the combined effect of torque and force on a nucleosome, the most abundant DNA-protein complex in eukaryotic cells. Using the worm-like chain model (WLC) we show how low positive torques ease the unwrapping of the DNA from the nucleosome. Remarkably a combination of high forces and high negative torques favors DNA unwrapping as well. The theory is also applicable beyond nucleosomes, namely whenever DNA spools are involved.

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