Beckwitt EC, Kong M, Van Houten B. Studying protein-DNA interactions using atomic force microscopy.
Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017;
73:220-230. [PMID:
28673677 DOI:
10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.06.028]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has made significant contributions to the study of protein-DNA interactions by making it possible to topographically image biological samples. A single protein-DNA binding reaction imaged by AFM can reveal protein binding specificity and affinity, protein-induced DNA bending, and protein binding stoichiometry. Changes in DNA structure, complex conformation, and cooperativity, can also be analyzed. In this review we highlight some important examples in the literature and discuss the advantages and limitations of these measurements. We also discuss important advances in technology that will facilitate the progress of AFM in the future.
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