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A method for fitting a smooth ribbon to curved DNA
Author(s) -
Darden Tom
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of computational chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.907
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1096-987X
pISSN - 0192-8651
DOI - 10.1002/jcc.540100411
Subject(s) - ribbon , representation (politics) , least squares function approximation , base (topology) , mathematics , twist , tilt (camera) , algorithm , energy (signal processing) , mathematical analysis , geometry , statistics , estimator , politics , political science , law
A method for fitting a smooth ribbon representation of DNA structures is proposed. Following a review of the relevant definitions for classical linear helical DNA and generalizations to curving helices, a parameterization of smooth ribbons is given, which leads to tractable expressions. In addition it suggests a new way to define twist, tilt, and roll for a base step that is free of the ambiguities caused by noncommutativity of finite rotations. A least squares fitting criterion for ribbons is then proposed. In some cases the optimal ribbon with respect to this criterion is not unique. This problem is analyzed, and the circumstances in which it can occur are specified. To resolve the nonuniqueness problem, a variational description of the optimal ribbon is proposed, namely the ribbon of lowest elastic energy achieving a specified level of fit with respect to the least squares criterion. The appropriate level of fit is decided using distances of backbone atoms from fitted ribbon axes. Theoretical tests of the fitting methodology are presented, and as a sample application a smooth ribbon is fit to an existing experimental structure.