Protein-DNA computation by stochastic assembly cascade.
The assembly of RecA on single-stranded DNA is measured and interpreted as a stochastic finite-state machine that is able to discriminate fine differences between sequences, a basic computational operation. RecA filaments efficiently scan DNA sequence through a cascade of random nucleation and disassembly events that is mechanistically similar to the dynamic instability of microtubules. This iterative cascade is a multistage kinetic proofreading process that amplifies minute differences, even a single base change. Our measurements suggest that this stochastic Turing-like machine can compute certain integral transforms.
Center for Physics and Biology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Roy
R
Bar-Ziv
Tsvi
T
Tlusty
Albert
A
Libchaber
D019295:Computational Biology; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D011938:Rec A Recombinases / Q000737:chemistry*
D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D011938:Rec A Recombinases