On conformations of the superhelix structure

The slight deformation of a helical macromolecule leading to the superhelical structure is considered. General equations which connect “internal” stereochemical parameters of the backbone of a helical macrcmolecule with “external” parameters of the superhelix are obtained; they are analogous to those of Shimanouchi and Mizushima. The case when the radius of the major helix is much greater than the radius of the minor helix is treated. Assuming that all conformational changes are due to small distortions of the rotation angles (bond angles and bond lengths are kept constant) the general equations reduce to a set of nonhomogeneous linear algebraic equations. Its solution (in the case of the DNA double-helix in B-form) shows that the DNA backbone can form a coiled-coil with parameters close to those estimated from experimental data on DNP in chromatine from nuclei of cells.