[Interaction of DNA Aptamers with the ATP-Dependent Lon Protease from Escherichia coli]

ATP-dependent Lon protease of E. coli (Ec-Lon) is a key enzyme of the quality control system of the cell proteome. Ec-Lon subunit comprises N-terminal non-catalytic region, ATPase module and proteolytic domain (serine-lysine endopeptidase). A distinctive feature of the Ec-Lon is its ability to interact with DNA, however either DNA binding site(s) or the role ofthe complex Ec-Lon · DNA have not yet been characterized. A promising tool for the study of molecular mechanisms of interaction between nucleic acids and protein ligands are known to be aptamers (small nucleic acids with high specificity to organic compounds of different nature). Ec-Lon-protease was found to form complexes with the previously obtained thrombin aptamers whose molecules comprise the duplex domains and G-quadruplex region. The aptamer affinities to the enzyme have been characterized. The synthesis of novel aptamers specific to Ec-Lon protease is planed for studying the mechanism of the enzyme-DNA complexation.