DNA conformation and transcriptional properties: a higher-order of silence

Various kinds of chemical species can induce DNA molecules collapse from an unfolded, random-coiled state to a folded, compact and ordered state. This phenomenon has been interpreted in terms of DNA condensation or compaction, and can be achieved in physiological-mimetic conditions. We performed experiments on a variety of templates in order to assess the influence of DNA conformation, or higher-order structure, on transcriptional reactivity. DNA length appears as a critical parameter for plausible large-scale genetic activity regulation mechanisms.