supercoiling
/ˈsupərˌkɔɪlɪŋ/
noun
- The process or state of being twisted into a supercoil, especially in DNA or other long molecules.
- Supercoiling allows DNA to fit inside the tiny space of a cell nucleus.
- The enzyme topoisomerase helps manage supercoiling during DNA replication.
- Excessive supercoiling can cause problems for cellular processes.