In a recent paper by Noy and Golestanian (Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 228101, 2012) the elastic properties of DNA were studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations . Two important conclusions were made: (i) the computed bending and twisting rigidities of DNA agree well with experimental data , and (ii) for lengths of a few helical turns, DNA dynamics exhibits long-range correlations in qualitative difference from the worm-like rod (WLR) model. Earlier similar studies showed that (i) the current MD forcefields systematically overestimate the DNA rigidity, and (ii) MD trajectories of DNA involve only short-range correlations; no deviations from the WLR model are detectable if MD data are analyzed properly . Here it is argued that the data analysis in the above mentioned paper was not correct and that the earlier conclusions are valid.
Recent experimental data indicate that the elastic wormlike rod model of DNA that works well on long length scales may break down on shorter scales relevant to biology. According to Noy and Golestanian (Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 228101, 2012) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations predict DNA rigidity close to experimental data and confirm one scenario of such breakdown, namely, that for lengths of a few helical turns, DNA dynamics exhibit long-range bending and stretching correlations. Earlier studies using similar forcefields concluded that (i) MD systematically overestimate the DNA rigidity, and (ii) no deviations from the WLR model are detectable . Here it is argued that the data analysis in the above mentioned paper was incorrect and that the earlier conclusions are valid.
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the elastic properties of DNA were studied by
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. Two important conclusions were made: (i) the computed bending and twisting rigidities of DNA agree well with experimental data , and (ii)
predict DNA rigidity close to experimental data and confirm one scenario of such breakdown, namely, that
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correlations in qualitative difference from the worm-like rod (WLR) model. Earlier similar studies showed
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MD trajectories of DNA involve only short-range correlations;
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if MD data are analyzed properly
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