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Loop extrusion provides mechanical robustness to chromatin
Hossein Salari, Daniel Jost //
Chromosomes are complex biopolymers folded into dynamic loops via a loop extrusion process and may experience various mechanical forces in vivo. We develop a force-dependent model of chromatin loop extrusion and investigate its mechanical consequences on chromosome organization using simulations and analytical theory. We show that loop extrusion alters the force–extension behavior of DNA in a non-monotonic manner: extrusion stiffens the chain at low forces but softens it at intermediate and high forces.