Dynamic phase transition in the conversion of B-DNA to Z-DNA
arXiv:1010.1723 · doi:10.1209/0295-5075/92/58004
Abstract
The long time dynamics of the conformational transition from B-DNA to Z-DNA is shown to undergo a dynamic phase transition. We obtained the dynamic phase diagram for the stability of the front separating B and Z. The instability in this front results in two split fronts moving with different velocities. Hence, depending on the system parameters a denatured state may develop dynamically eventhough it is thermodynamically forbidden. This resolves the current controversies on the transition mechanism of the B-DNA to Z-DNA.
5 pages, 4 figures. New version with correction of typos, new references, minor modifications in Fig 2, 3. To appear in EPL