title: DNA transposition of bacteriophage Mu. A quantitative analysis of target site selection in vitro.
abstract: The Mu transpositional DNA recombination machinery selects target sites by assembling a protein-DNA complex that interacts with the target DNA and reacts whenever it locates a favorable sequence composition. Splicing of a transposon into the target generates a 5-bp duplication that reflects the original target site. Preferential usage of different target pentamers was examined with a minimal Mu in vitro system and quantitatively compiled consensus sequences for the most preferred and the least preferred sites were generated. When analyzed as base steps, preferences toward certain steps along the 5-bp target site were detected. We further show that insertion sites can be predicted on the basis of additively calculated base step values. Also surrounding sequences influence the preference of a given pentamer; a symmetrical structural component was revealed, suggesting potential hinges at and around the target site.
authors.affiliation: Program in Cellular Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Viikki Biocenter, PO Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Saija
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haapa-Paananen
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rita
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Savilahti
mesh_terms: D010583:Bacteriophage mu / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D011485:Protein Binding; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D009711:Nucleotides; D004247:DNA