DNA-binding protein

Cro protein complex with DNA
Interaction of DNA (orange) with histones (blue). These proteins' basic amino acids bind to the acidic phosphate groups on DNA.
The lambda repressor helix-turn-helix transcription factor bound to its DNA target[1]
The restriction enzyme EcoRV (green) in a complex with its substrate DNA[2]

DNA-binding proteins are proteins that have DNA-binding domains and thus have a specific or general affinity for single- or double-stranded DNA.[3][4][5] Sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins generally interact with the major groove of B-DNA, because it exposes more functional groups that identify a base pair.[6][7]

  1. ^ Created from PDB 1LMB
  2. ^ Created from PDB 1RVA
  3. ^ Travers, A. A. (1993). DNA-protein interactions. London: Springer. ISBN 978-0-412-25990-6.
  4. ^ Pabo CO, Sauer RT (1984). "Protein-DNA recognition". Annu. Rev. Biochem. 53 (1): 293–321. doi:10.1146/annurev.bi.53.070184.001453. PMID 6236744.
  5. ^ Dickerson R.E. (1983). "The DNA helix and how it is read". Sci Am. 249 (6): 94–111. Bibcode:1983SciAm.249f..94D. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican1283-94.
  6. ^ Zimmer C, Wähnert U (1986). "Nonintercalating DNA-binding ligands: specificity of the interaction and their use as tools in biophysical, biochemical and biological investigations of the genetic material". Prog. Biophys. Mol. Biol. 47 (1): 31–112. doi:10.1016/0079-6107(86)90005-2. PMID 2422697.
  7. ^ Dervan PB (April 1986). "Design of sequence-specific DNA-binding molecules". Science. 232 (4749): 464–71. Bibcode:1986Sci...232..464D. doi:10.1126/science.2421408. PMID 2421408.