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An attempt to estimate the relative contributions of twisting and bending to the free energy of superhelix formation from the relaxed DNA is undertaken. The extent of teritiary ordering (number of DNA axis turns tau) and that of secondary ordering (duplex twist angle beta) have been taken as thermodynamical parameters, which characterize the state of the supercoild DNA at the fixed linking number (Lk) value. Such a thermodynamical approach implies the phenomenological parameters of rigidities of twisting and supercoiling (Gbeta, Gtau). Gtau/Gbeta ratio is estimated from the presented experimental data on the winding of the double helix upon increasing the ionic strength when twist alterations are followed by circular dichroism method. The adequacy of such interpretation of CD spectra changes are discussed. The values of Gtau and Gbeta are estimated to be of the same order of magnitude.

Influence of ionic strength on the kinetics of the promoter complex formation between E. coli RNA polymerase and T7 phage DNA was investigated using a membrane filter assay. The enzyme-promoter association rate constant was determined. It varies from 10(9) to 3 x 10(7) M-1 sec-1 when the ionic strength is changed from zero to 0.15 M NaCl. Basing on the theoretical analysis of experimental data obtained the model for the promoter site selection assuming the enzyme sliding along the DNA is discussed.

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