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VOLUME 86 (2007) | ISSUE 4 | PAGE 311
Symmetries of Electrostatic Interaction between DNA Molecules
PACS: 87.15.-v
Abstract
We study a model for pair interaction U of DNA molecules generated by the discrete dipole moments of base-pairs and the charges of phosphate groups, and find noncommutative group of eighth order {\cal S} of symmetries that leave U invariant. We classify the minima using group {\cal S} and employ numerical methods for finding them. The minima may correspond to several cholesteric phases, as well as phases formed by cross-like conformations of molecules at an angle close to 90o , "snowflake phase". The results depend on the effective charge Q of the phosphate group which can be modified by the polycations or the ions of metals. The snowflake phase could exist for Q above the threshold QC. Below QC there could be several cholesteric phases. Close to QC the snowflake phase could change into the cholesteric one at constant distance between adjacent molecules.