Adaptation of DNA to Protein Binding Revealed by Spectroscopy and Molecular Simulation.

ABSTRACT: DNA demonstrates remarkable structural diversity, transitioning between conformations such as B-DNA and A-DNA under specific environmental or protein-binding conditions. These transitions are relevant for mediating cellular processes such as gene regulation, DNA organization, and stress response. In bacteria, the histone-like nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) exemplifies the interaction between sequence-dependent DNA conformational adaptability and protein-mediated regulatory mechanisms. Despite evidence for the strong affinity of H-NS for AT-rich DNA, the specific molecular and structural interactions driving this recognition remain largely unclear. Combining fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and enhanced sampling techniques, we sho

SUBMITTER: van Heesch T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12169650 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature