title: A model for the complex between the helix destabilizing protein GP32 of bacteriophage T4 and single-stranded DNA.
abstract: A model for the structure of the complex between the helix-destabilizing protein of bacteriophage T4, GP32, and single-stranded DNA is proposed. In this model the bases are arranged in a helix, that is characterized by a relatively large distance between successive bases, a substantial base tilt, in combination with a small rotation per base. This helix is further organized into a tertiary structure, possibly a superhelix, of which the corresponding protein shell corresponds to the relatively rigid and rod-like structure that is observed in hydrodynamic experiments. It is proposed that similar structural features apply to other single-stranded DNA binding proteins in complex with polynucleotides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Scheerhagen
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kuil
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Amerongen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Grondelle
mesh_terms: D004265:DNA Helicases; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013604:T-Phages / Q000235:genetics*; D014764:Viral Proteins
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; C060035:gp32 protein, Enterobacteria phage T4; C027729:helix-destabilizing proteins; D004265:DNA Helicases