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Single-stranded structures are present within plasmids containing the Epstein-Barr virus latent origin of replication
1Department Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510-8064.
Journal of Virology
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) oriP contains DNA structures that may be crucial for replication. These single-stranded DNA regions, potentially unwound or cruciform, are stabilized by supercoiling and protein binding.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent origin of plasmid replication (oriP) is essential for viral maintenance and replication.
- oriP comprises two key regions: a family of repeats and a dyad symmetry element, both binding the EBNA 1 protein.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of secondary DNA structures within the EBV oriP region.
- To determine the stability and potential functional significance of these structures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized single-strand-specific nucleases to probe oriP-derived DNA sequences for secondary structures.
- Analyzed DNA structures in both supercoiled and linearized oriP plasmids.
Main Results:
- Multiple single-stranded DNA structures were detected within the oriP region.
- The family of repeats region extruded these structures more frequently than the dyad symmetry region.
- These structures, approximately 12 bp in length, were stabilized by negative supercoiling and remained stable even after DNA linearization.
Conclusions:
- EBV oriP harbors stable, single-stranded DNA structures, potentially unwound regions or cruciforms.
- These structures may play a significant role in protein-DNA interactions essential for EBV replication and maintenance.