High-throughput assay for determining specificity and affinity of protein-DNA binding interactions

Limited information exists for the binding specificities of many important transcription factors. To address this, we have previously developed a microwell-based assay for directly measuring the affinity of DNA-protein binding interactions. We describe here the detailed protocol for determining sequence specificities of DNA-binding proteins using this assay. The described method is rapid; after preparation of the reagents, the assay can be run in a single day, and its throughput can be increased further by automation. The method is quantitative but requires prior knowledge of one high-affinity binding site for the protein of interest. The protocol can be adapted for determining the effect of protein modifications and protein-protein interactions on DNA-binding specificity, and for engineering proteins with new DNA-binding specificities. In addition, the method is suitable for high-throughput screening to identify proteins or small molecules that modulate protein-DNA binding interactions.