The distribution on the shortest distance between random cuts on opposite strands of DNA

Abstract

Experiments involving random enzymatic or radioactive multiple cutting of single strands in double stranded DNA will occasionally cut it at pairs of positions on opposite strands that are within about 12 base pairs. In this case the DNA may unravel and come apart. The distribution of closest opposing breaks as a function of λ, the incidence of breaks per unit length, is obtained and graphs of the probability of critical distances as functions ofλare plotted. It is shown that for very largeλthe distance between closest opposite breaks is approximately exponential with parameter ½λ2.