supercoil

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Food Biotechnology

The conformation of a double-stranded DNA molecule placed under torsional stress as a result of interactions with protein s. The stress is accommodated by a twist imposed on the duplex. A left-handed supercoil favours unwinding of the double helix; a right-handed supercoil favours tighter winding.

UN Food and Agriculture Organization — Glossary of Biotechnology for Food and Agriculture