Twist-induced local curvature of filaments in DNA toroids

Abstract

DNA toroidal bundles form upon condensation of one or multiple DNA filaments. DNA filaments in toroidal bundles are hexagonally packed, and collectively twist around the center line of the toroid. In a previous study, we and our coworkers argue that the filaments' curvature locally correlates with their density in the bundle, with the filaments less closely packed where their curvature appears to be higher. We base our claim on the assumption that twist has a negligible effect on the local curvature of filaments in DNA toroids. However, this remains to be proven. We fill this gap here, by calculating the distribution of filaments' curvature in a geometric model of twisted toroidal bundle, which we use to describe DNA toroids by an appropriate choice of parameters. This allows us to substantiate our previous study and suggest directions for future experiments.