Approaches to characterize protein-DNA interactions in vivo

With the availability of direct genomic footprinting techniques the study of native genomes has been greatly facilitated. This review provides an overview of the techniques involved and gives also a description of the mode of action of different DNA modifying agents which can be used for such methods. These include exonuclease III, deoxyribonuclease, DNase I, micrococcal nuclease, dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, ethyl methanesulphonate, ethylnitrosourea, diethylpyrocarbonate, bromoacetaldehyde, potassium permanganate, osmium tetroxide, methidiumpropyl-EDTA-iron(II), formaldehyde, psoralen, 1,10 phenanthroline-copper and UV light. We also describe the limitations of the currently existing techniques and give some potential developments.