Abstract
It is proposed that circular chromosomal DNA must be constrained such that the two strands are topologically unlinked. This structure can be replicated without strand breakage (nicking) by locally acting enzymes. The recently discovered form V DNA satisfies this topological constraint. The structure is likely to consist of left-handed and right-handed segments of double helix. The constraint of zero linkage has to be preserved by DNA repair, plasmid insertion and by crossing over. The argument presented in this paper is a topological one, following W. F. Pohl, that linkage is a global property that cannot be measured by locally acting enzymes. In contrast to Pohl no argument in favor of a side-by-side structure is presented. A zero linkage constraint would be hereditary and compatible with a multitude of local structures.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alberts, B., Sternglas, R.: Recent excitement in the DNA replication problem. Nature 269, 655 (1977)
Bauer, W., Vinograd, J.: The interaction of closed circular DNA with intercalative Dyes. J. Mol. Biol. 33, 141 (1968)
Chern, S. S.: Am. Math. Monthly 86, 339 (1979)
Crick, F. H. C: Linking numbers and nucleosomes, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 73, 2639 (1976)
Crick, F. H. C., Wang, J. C., Baver, W. R.: Is DNA really a double Helix? J. Mol. Biol. 129, 449–461 (1979)
Fuller, B.: The Writhing number of a space curve, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 68, 815 (1971)
Gupta, G., Sasiskharan, V.: Theoretical calculations of base-base interactions in nucleic acids: II staking interactions in polynucieotides. Nucl. Acid. Res. 5, 1655 (1978)
Kornberg, A.: DNA Synthesis. San Francisco, Calif: Freeman, (1974)
Landy, A., Ross, W.: Viral integration and excision: Structure of the Lambda sites. Science 197, 1147 (1977)
Pohl, W. F.: The self-linking numbers of a closed space curve. J. Math. Mech. 17, 975 (1968)
Pohl, W. F., Roberts, G. W.: Topological considerations in the theory of replication of DNA. Journ. of Math. Biol. 6, 383–402 (1978)
Rodley, G. A., Scobie, R. S., Bates, R. H. T., Lewitt, R. M.: A possible conformation for double-stranded polynucleotides. Proc. Natl. Acad. Scie. USA 73, 2959 (1976)
Sasisekharan, V., Pattabiraman, N.: Curr. Sci. 45, 779 (1976)
Sasisekharan, V., Pattabiraman, N., Gupta, G.: Curr. Sci. 46, 763 (1977)
Stettler, U. H., Weber, H., Koller, Th., Weissmann, C.: Preparation and Characterization of Form V DNA, the Duplex DNA Resulting from Association of Complementary Circular single-stranded DNA. J. Mol. Biol. 131, 21–40 (1979)
Wang, J. C., Degree of super helicity of covalently closed cyclic DNA's from Escherichia Coli. J. Mol. Biol. 43, 263 (1969)
Wang, J. C.: Variation of the average rotation angle of the DNA Helix and the superhelical turns of covalently closed cyclic λ DNA. J. Mol. Biol. 43, 25 (1969)
Wang, J. C.: The degree of unwinding of the DNA Helix by Ethidium. J. Mol. Biol. 89, 783 (1974)
Wang, J. C.: Helical repeat of DNA in solution. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76, 200 (1979)
Watson, J.: Molecular Biol. of the Gene. Benjamin Menlo Park, Calif, 1976
White, J. H.: Self-linking and the GAUSS integral in higher dimensions. Am. J. Math. 91, 693–728 (1969)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bremermann, H.J. Unlinked strands as a topological constraint on chromosomal DNA, plasmid integration, and DNA repair. J. Math. Biology 8, 393–401 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00275834
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00275834