Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins01:03

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

For successful DNA replication, the unwinding of double-stranded DNA must be accompanied by stabilization and protection of the separated single strands of the DNA. This crucial task is performed by single-strand DNA-binding (SSB) proteins. They bind to the DNA in a sequence-independent manner, which means that the nitrogenous bases of the DNA need not be present in a specific order for binding of SSB proteins to it. The binding of SSB proteins straightens single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and makes...
Nucleic Acid Structure01:25

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms  a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...
RNA Structure01:19

RNA Structure

The basic structure of RNA consists of a string of ribonucleotides attached by phosphodiester bonds. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...
RNA Structure01:23

RNA Structure

Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
Nucleic acids02:43

Nucleic acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
Nucleic Acids02:43

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

FBH1 Reverses Stalled Replication Forks via Sequential Unwinding of Nascent Strands.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

DNA binding and lesion recognition by the bacterial interstrand DNA crosslink glycosylase AlkX.

EMBO reports·2026
Same author

Structural basis for fork reversal and RAD51 regulation by the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex of F-box helicase 1.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

DNA binding and lesion recognition by the bacterial interstrand DNA crosslink glycosylase AlkX.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Structural basis for fork reversal and RAD51 regulation by the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex of F-box helicase 1.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Yatakemycin biosynthesis requires two deoxyribonucleases for toxin self-resistance.

RSC chemical biology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids
09:04

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids

Published on: September 21, 2017

Nucleic acid recognition by tandem helical repeats.

Emily H Rubinson1, Brandt F Eichman

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|December 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary

New protein repeat structures, MTERF and ALK, uniquely bind DNA by reshaping the double helix. This discovery offers fresh insights into protein-nucleic acid interactions beyond traditional sequence recognition.

More Related Videos

DNAzyme 10-23 - Based Nanomachines for Nucleic Acid Recognition
07:16

DNAzyme 10-23 - Based Nanomachines for Nucleic Acid Recognition

Published on: February 9, 2024

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules
09:32

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules

Published on: April 12, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids
09:04

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids

Published on: September 21, 2017

DNAzyme 10-23 - Based Nanomachines for Nucleic Acid Recognition
07:16

DNAzyme 10-23 - Based Nanomachines for Nucleic Acid Recognition

Published on: February 9, 2024

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules
09:32

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules

Published on: April 12, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Structural biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Tandem α-helical repeats in proteins were traditionally linked to scaffolding or RNA binding.
  • Previous understanding of protein-nucleic acid recognition primarily focused on major groove interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate novel protein architectures involved in DNA binding.
  • To explore new mechanisms of protein-nucleic acid recognition beyond sequence-specific contacts.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography of human mitochondrial termination factor MTERF1 and Bacillus cereus alkylpurine DNA glycosylase AlkD.
  • Comparative analysis of MTERF and ALK repeat structures bound to DNA.
  • Integration of findings with recent studies on Pumilio/FBF (PUF) domain ssRNA recognition.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of two new superhelical tandem repeat architectures in MTERF1 and AlkD.
  • Demonstration that MTERF and ALK motifs bind DNA by altering the double helix conformation via backbone contacts.
  • Identification of a distinct mode of DNA recognition distinct from canonical major groove read-out.

Conclusions:

  • MTERF and ALK motifs represent novel DNA-binding architectures.
  • Protein-nucleic acid recognition can occur through significant manipulation of the nucleic acid backbone.
  • These findings expand our understanding of the diverse strategies proteins employ to interact with nucleic acids.