Nonequilibrium Work Fluctuations in Force-induced Melting of a Short B-DNA

Abstract

A system of a solvated canonical B-DNA of 12 base pairs with the specified sequence is initially equilibrated in a state of zero external force $f$ acting on it. After equilibration, a switching experiment is performed over the system by pulling one end of the DNA while restraining its other end. The finite time pulling process is performed at a constant rate of the applied force until a maximum value of 400 pN. The associated nonequilibrium work done $(W)$ during this process is determined by numerically integrating the force-extension curve as a function of the applied force. An ensemble of the work values, $P(W)$, is obtained by repeating the pulling experiment a large number of times. We determine the free energy difference $(\Delta F)$ between the equilibrium and force-induced melted states of the DNA by employing the Jarzynski equality. The value of $\Delta F$ is found to be in close agreement with the conventional equilibrium methods.