Mechanisms of DNA bending

Genome packaging and gene regulation require DNA bending. Recent developmen ts in the elucidation of the mechanisms involved in DNA bending include new X-ray structures (most notably that of the mammalian nucleosome) wherein D NA is bent, controversy surrounding interpretation of DNA-bending experimen ts with basic-leucine zipper proteins, studies of electrostatic effects in DNA bending, and the design of artificial DNA-bending ligands.