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. 1998 Sep;75(3):1223–1227. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(98)74041-X

Hexagonally packed DNA within bacteriophage T7 stabilized by curvature stress.

T Odijk 1
PMCID: PMC1299797  PMID: 9726924

Abstract

A continuum computation is proposed for the bending stress stabilizing DNA that is hexagonally packed within bacteriophage T7. Because the inner radius of the DNA spool is rather small, the stress of the curved DNA genome is strong enough to balance its electrostatic self-repulsion so as to form a stable hexagonal phase. The theory is in accord with the microscopically determined structure of bacteriophage T7 filled with DNA within the experimental margin of error.

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Selected References

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