Coordinated motion of molecular motors on DNA chains with branch topology

Toward understanding the macroscopic mechanical behaviors of responsive deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA)hydrogels integrated with DNA motors,here we construct the state map for the translocation process of a single C-terminal translocase domain(FtsKC)on a single DNA chain at the molecular level and then investigate the movement of single or multiple FtsKC motors on DNA chains with varied branch topology.Our studies indicate that multiple FtsKC motors can have coordinated motion,which is mainly due to the force responsive behavior of individual FtsKC motor.We further suggest the potential application of motors of FtsKC,together with DNA chains of specific branch topology,to serve as strain sensors in hydrogels.