Pulling short DNA with mismatch base pairs

Abstract

Due to misincorporation during gene replication, the accuracy of the gene expression is often compromised. This results in a mismatch or defective pair in the DNA molecule (James et al. 2016). Here, we present our study of the stability of DNA with defects in the thermal and force ensembles. We consider DNA with a different number of defects from 2to16 and study how the denaturation process differs in both ensembles. Using a statistical model, we calculate the melting point of the DNA chain in both the ensemble. Our findings display different manifestations of DNA denaturation in thermal and force ensembles. While the DNA with defects denatures at a lower temperature than the intact DNA, the point from which the DNA is pulled is important in force ensemble.