supercoiling

(noun)

The coiling of the DNA helix upon itself; can cause disruption to transcription and lead to cell death.

Related Terms

Examples of supercoiling in the following topics:

  • Supercoiling

    • Such a contortion is a supercoil.
    • Extra helical twists are positive and lead to positive supercoiling, while subtractive twisting causes negative supercoiling.
    • DNA of most organisms is negatively supercoiled.
    • In eukaryotes, DNA supercoiling exists on many levels of both plectonemic and solenoidal supercoils, with the solenoidal supercoiling proving the most effective in compacting the DNA.
    • These SMC proteins induce positive supercoils.

  • Bacterial Chromosomes in the Nucleoid

    • Proteins helping to maintain the supercoiled structure of the nucleic acid are known as nucleoid proteins or nucleoid-associated proteins, and are distinct from histones of eukaryotic nuclei.
    • The genophore is compacted through a mechanism known as supercoiling, but a chromosome is additionally compacted through the use of chromatin.