Facilitated DNA search by multidomain transcription factors: cross talk via a flexible linker.

ABSTRACT: More than 70% of eukaryotic proteins are composed of multiple domains. However, most studies of the search for DNA focus on individual protein domains and do not consider potential cross talk within a multidomain transcription factor. In this study, the molecular features of the DNA search mechanism were explored for two multidomain transcription factors: human Pax6 and Oct-1. Using a simple computational model, we compared a DNA search of multidomain proteins with a search of isolated domains. Furthermore, we studied how manipulating the binding affinity of a single domain to DNA can affect the overall DNA search of the multidomain protein. Tethering the two domains via a flexible linker increases their affinity to the DNA, resulting in a higher propensity for sliding along the DNA, which

SUBMITTER: Vuzman D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2920665 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature