title: A divalent metal-mediated switch controlling protein-induced DNA bending.
abstract: Architectural proteins that reconfigure the paths of DNA segments are required for the establishment of functional interfaces in many genomic transactions. A single-chain derivative of the DNA architectural protein integration host factor was found to adopt two stable conformational states in complex with a specific DNA target. In the so-called open state, the degree of protein-induced DNA bending is reduced significantly compared with the closed state. The conformational switch between these states is controlled by divalent metal binding in two electronegative zones arising from the lysine-to-glutamate substitution in the protein body proximal to the phosphate backbone of one DNA arm. We show that this switch can be employed to control the efficiency of site-specific recombination catalyzed by lambda integrase. Introduction of acidic residues at the protein-DNA interface holds potential for the design of metal-mediated switches for the investigation of functional relationships.
authors.affiliation: Division of Genomics and Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Qiuye
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Hu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yingjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dröge
authors.forename: Curt A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Davey
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D034982:Integration Host Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
chemical_list: C108089:AttR protein, bacteria; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D034982:Integration Host Factors; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D004247:DNA