单链DNA在受限环境中伸展的Monte Carlo模拟
Monte Carlo Simulation on Stretching of Single DNA Molecules in Confined Environments
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摘要: 将Monte Carlo方法和键长涨落算法相结合,模拟了受限于两平行平面间的单链DNA分子在外力作用下的伸展以及撤除外力以后弛豫的动力学过程,研究了受限程度对DNA分子的伸展长度及弛豫过程的影响.结果表明,随着受限程度的增加, DNA分子链的构象更加伸展,这主要是由于随着平面间距的减少, DNA分子不同链段之间流体力学相互作用将会被平面屏蔽所致,受限程度不同时DNA分子的弛豫过程进一步证实了这一点.DNA分子的伸展长度(即末端距)随着流速的变化关系与文献给出的实验结果及其对此所做的理论分析是基本一致的.Abstract: Stretching and relaxation of a single DNA molecule tethered in a specially designed thin slit were studied using Monte Carlo simulation combined with bondfluctuation method. It was found that the extension and relaxation of the single DNA molecule are greatly affected by the confined environment. If the extent of the confined environment is increased by decreasing the distance between the two planar surfaces of the slit, the extension of the single DNA molecule increases, due to the screening of the hydrodynamic interaction of DNA segments by the planar surfaces of the slit. The relaxation of the single DNA molecule in different confined environments verifies this assumption completely. The correlation between the end-to-end separation and flow velocity obtained by Monte Carlo simulation is in good agreement with either the experimental results or theoretical consideration reported previously.