How does positive supercoiling of DNA occur?
1 Answer
Apr 8, 2017
Positive supercoiling of DNA occurs when the right handed double helical conformation of DNA is twisted even tighter in the right hand direction, until the helix begins to distort and knot.
Explanation:
If the DNA is in the form of a circular molecule, or if it's end are rigidly held so that it forms a loop then over twisting or under twisting leads to the supercoiled state.
The structure of DNA does not only exist as a secondary structure double helix, but it can fold up on itself to form tertiary structure by supercoiling.
Supercoiling allows for the compact packing of circular DNA.
Supercoiling occurs when the molecule relieves the helical stress by twisting around itself.
