title: Recognition in action: DNA mimicry.
abstract: Proteins that mimic DNA present a surface that is similar in shape and chemical character to the DNA double helix. These DNA mimics bind to DNA-binding proteins, taking the place of DNA. Natural DNA mimics play roles in genetic regulation and defense.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA. goodsell@scripps.edu
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Goodsell
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004247:DNA