Catch-bond behavior of DNA condensate under tension*
Li Wei†‡a), Wong Wei-Juan†b), Lim Ci-Jib), Ju Hai-Penga), Li Minga), Yan Jie§b), Wang Peng-Ye¶a)
       
(a) DNA conformations under 40 pN (top panel) and 60 pN (bottom panel) with an adhesion energy density of 1.5 k B T /nm. (b) Unfolding trajectories under six different forces. (c) Average rate of change in extension as a function of the unwrapping force. The catch-bond behavior is seen because of the deformed DNA toroid. (d) and (e) At a low adhesive energy density of 0.75 k B T /nm, the rate of unwrapping becomes monotonically dependent on the unwrapping force, and the catch-bond behavior is no longer observed.