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Protocols for C-Brick DNA Standard Assembly Using Cpf1
Published on: June 15, 2017
CC1, a novel crenarchaeal DNA binding protein
Xiao Luo1, Uli Schwarz-Linek, Catherine H Botting
1Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK.
Journal of Bacteriology
|November 7, 2006
Summary
Researchers discovered a new protein, CC1 (crenarchaeal chromatin protein 1), in Thermoproteus tenax. This protein binds DNA and may function as a single-stranded DNA binding protein, filling a gap in these archaeal genomes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The genomes of Pyrobaculum aerophilum and Thermoproteus tenax lack genes for single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs), which are crucial for DNA metabolism in all other known life forms.
- These archaeal genomes also possess only one identified chromatin protein gene (Alba), unlike most archaea with multiple chromatin proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel nucleic acid binding proteins in Thermoproteus tenax cell extracts.
- To investigate potential functional replacements for the missing single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs) in crenarchaeal genomes.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical screening of T. tenax cell extracts using an assay for single-stranded DNA binding activity.
- Identification and characterization of DNA-binding proteins, including CC1 (crenarchaeal chromatin protein 1).
Main Results:
- Three DNA-binding proteins were identified, including Alba and two novel, closely related proteins designated CC1.
- CC1 is a small (6-kDa), monomeric, basic protein highly expressed in T. tenax.
- CC1 exhibits similar binding affinities for both single- and double-stranded DNA.
Conclusions:
- CC1 is a potential crenarchaeal chromatin protein that may fulfill the functional role of SSBs in P. aerophilum and T. tenax.
- The discovery of CC1 provides insight into the unique DNA-handling mechanisms in these archaeal lineages.
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