Multiplectoneme phase of double-stranded DNA under torsion

Abstract

We use the wormlike chain model to study supercoiling of DNA under tension and torque. The model reproduces experimental data for a broad range of forces, salt concentrations, and contour lengths. We find a plane of first-order phase transitions ending in a smeared-out line of critical points, the multiplectoneme phase, which is characterized by a fast twist-mediated diffusion of plectonemes and a torque that rises after plectoneme formation with increasing linking number. The discovery of this phase at the same time resolves the discrepancies between existing models and experiment.