Combination of native and denaturing PAGE for the detection of protein binding regions in long fragments of genomic DNA

A novel chromatin tether domain controls topoisomerase IIα dynamics and mitotic chromosome formation

The dynamics of topoisomerase IIα binding to DNA and histones are important for successful mitosis and are regulated by a novel chromatin tether (ChT) domain in topoisomerase IIα.

DNA topoisomerase IIα (Topo IIα) is the target of an important class of anticancer drugs, but tumor cells can become resistant by reducing the association of the enzyme with chromosomes. Here we describe a critical mechanism of chromatin recruitment and exchange that relies on a novel chromatin tether (ChT) domain and mediates interaction with histone H3 and DNA. We show that the ChT domain controls the residence time of Topo IIα on chromatin in mitosis and is necessary for the formation of mitotic chromosomes. Our data suggest that the dynamics of Topo IIα on chromosomes are important for successful mitosis and implicate histone tail posttranslational modifications in regulating Topo IIα.

Combination of native and denaturing PAGE for the detection of protein binding regions in long fragments of genomic DNA

In traditional electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) a single (32)P-labeled double-stranded DNA oligonucleotide or a restriction fragment bound to a protein is separated from the unbound DNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) under nondenaturing conditions. An extension of this method uses a population of DNA restriction fragments derived from long genomic regions for the identification of fragments containing protein binding regions. Although the method allows simultaneous analysis of large fragments, it is relatively laborious and can be used to detect only fragments containing high affinity protein binding sites. Here we describe an alternative and straightforward strategy which is based on a combination of native and denaturing PAGE. With this strategy restriction fragments, derived from genomic DNA (<10 kb), containing high as well as low affinity protein binding regions may be easily identified.