Conserved linear dynamics of single-molecule Brownian motion

Maged F. Serag () and Satoshi Habuchi ()
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Maged F. Serag: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Satoshi Habuchi: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Macromolecular diffusion in homogeneous fluid at length scales greater than the size of the molecule is regarded as a random process. The mean-squared displacement (MSD) of molecules in this regime increases linearly with time. Here we show that non-random motion of DNA molecules in this regime that is undetectable by the MSD analysis can be quantified by characterizing the molecular motion relative to a latticed frame of reference. Our lattice occupancy analysis reveals unexpected sub-modes of motion of DNA that deviate from expected random motion in the linear, diffusive regime. We demonstrate that a subtle interplay between these sub-modes causes the overall diffusive motion of DNA to appear to conform to the linear regime. Our results show that apparently random motion of macromolecules could be governed by non-random dynamics that are detectable only by their relative motion. Our analytical approach should advance broad understanding of diffusion processes of fundamental relevance.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15675

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