Electrostatic calculations and model-building suggest that DNA bound to CAP is sharply bent.

J. Warwicker, B. P. Engelman, T. A. Steitz

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Two observations suggest that DNA, upon binding to E. coli catabolite gene activator protein (CAP), is sharply bent by a total angle of at least 100-150 degrees: (1) The electrostatic potential field of CAP shows regions of positive potential that form a ramp on 3 sides of the protein. (2) The DNA binding site size as determined by DNA ethylation interference with binding, (Majors: "Control of the E. coli Lac Operon at the Molecular Level." Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University, Cambridge, 1977) and by relative affinities of DNA fragments of various lengths (Liu-Johnson et al.: Cell 47:995-1005, 1986) requires severe bending of the DNA to maintain its favorable electrostatic contact with the protein.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)283-289
    Number of pages6
    JournalProteins: Structure, Function and Bioinformatics
    Volume2
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1987

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