Structure-specific binding of the proto-oncogene protein DEK to DNA.
The ubiquitous proto-oncogene protein DEK has been found to be associated with chromatin during the entire cell cycle. It changes the topology of DNA in chromatin and protein-free DNA through the introduction of positive supercoils. The sequence and structure specificities of DEK-DNA interactions are not completely understood. The binding of DEK to DNA is not sequence specific, but we describe here that DEK has a clear preference for supercoiled and four-way junction DNA. In the presence of topoisomerase II, DEK stimulates intermolecular catenation of circular DNA molecules. DEK also increases the probability of intermolecular ligation of linear DNA molecules by DNA ligase. These binding properties qualify DEK as an architectural protein.
Waldmann
Tanja
T
University of Konstanz, Department of Biology, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany.
Baack
Martina
M
Richter
Nicole
N
Gruss
Claudia
C
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043864:DNA, Catenated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D044708:DNA, Concatenated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D045566:DNA, Cruciform / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013379:Substrate Specificity
D043864:DNA, Catenated; D044708:DNA, Concatenated; D045566:DNA, Cruciform; D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D004247:DNA