Analysis of DNA curvature distribution in mycobacterial promoters using theoretical models Original Research Article

In this paper, 125 different mycobacterial promoters are analyzed for their DNA curvature distribution using several di- and tri-nucleotide dependent models of DNA curvature. Different models give similar behavior and therefore qualitative validation of the results. Mycobacterial promoters resembling the E. coli σ70 type have almost 81% (85%) sequences having medium and high curvature profiles using dinucleotide-dependent models. Non-E. coli σ70 type mycobacterial promoters have comparatively higher percent of low curvature profiles. Very few extended −10 promoters have low curvature profiles. Mycobacterial promoters having AnTm (n+m≥3) tract in the upstream region of −35 box and repeated in phase with each other have high curvature profiles. M. smegmatis promoters have high curvature profiles compared to M. tuberculosis promoters.