Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
16:24
Analyzing and Building Nucleic Acid Structures with 3DNA
Published on: April 26, 2013
21.4K
A structural analysis of DNA binding by hSSB1 (NABP2/OBFC2B) in solution
Christine Touma1, Ruvini Kariawasam1, Adrian X Gimenez1
1School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
Nucleic Acids Research
|July 9, 2016
Summary
Human single-stranded DNA binding protein 1 (hSSB1) uses base-stacking interactions within its OB domain to bind single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in solution. This mechanism is crucial for genomic stability and differs from crystal structure findings.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs) are vital for DNA replication, recombination, and repair.
- Human SSB1 (hSSB1) is essential for homologous recombination, telomere regulation, replication fork maintenance, and oxidative damage repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding by hSSB1 in solution.
- To understand how hSSB1 interacts with ssDNA for its various biological functions.
Main Methods:
- Solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
- Biophysical experiments.
- Functional assays.
Main Results:
- hSSB1 recognizes ssDNA in solution via base-stacking interactions involving four key aromatic residues in its OB domain.
- This solution-state binding mode contrasts with the recently determined crystal structure of the SOSS1 complex.
- The findings provide detailed molecular insights into hSSB1's ssDNA binding mechanism.
Conclusions:
- hSSB1 utilizes a unique base-stacking mechanism for ssDNA binding in solution, distinct from crystal structure data.
- This mechanism is fundamental to hSSB1's role in maintaining genomic stability.
- Understanding hSSB1-ssDNA interactions is key to comprehending DNA processing and repair pathways.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins
17.1K
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...
17.1K
00:55DNA Helicases
24.8K
DNA unwinding helicase enzymes are a type of motor protein. Motor proteins can translocate along filaments or polymers using energy generated from ATP hydrolysis. Helicases are involved in all the important cellular processes where DNA unwinding is required, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. They are present in all living organisms, but vary in their structure, function, and mechanism of action. For example, in prokaryotes, DnaB helicase binds and translocates...
24.8K
01:16The DNA Helix
161.0K
Overview
161.0K
01:07The DNA Helix
31.5K
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the genetic material responsible for passing traits from generation to generation in all organisms and most viruses. DNA is composed of two strands of nucleotides that wind around each other to form a spring-like structure called a double helix. However, the double helix is not perfectly symmetrical. Instead, there are regularly occurring grooves in the structure. The major groove occurs where the sugar-phosphate backbones are relatively far apart. This space...
31.5K
02:04Fixing Double-strand Breaks
15.9K
The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...
15.9K
01:49Conserved Binding Sites
5.3K
Many proteins’ biological role depends on their interactions with their ligands, small molecules that bind to specific locations on the protein known as ligand-binding sites. Ligand-binding sites are often conserved among homologous proteins as these sites are critical for protein function.
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally...
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally...
5.3K