Nonspecific interaction of lac repressor with DNA: an association reaction driven by counterion release

We have investigated the nonspecific interaction of lac repressor protein with DNA by a quantitative application of DNA-cellulose chromatography (deHaseth, P.L., et al. (1977), Biochemistry 16 (third of five papers in a series in this issue)). The observed association constant for the interaction, KRD obsd, is a sensitive function of ion concentrations and pH. Application of binding theory to interpret these effects gives the results that 11 +/- 2 monovalent ions are released in the interaction and two groups on repressor must be protonated for repressor to bind to DNA. We argue that much of the ion release results from the displacement of cations from the DNA, and estimate on this basis that 12 +/- 2 phosphates are involved in ionic interactions with the protein. Ion release drives the protonation reaction and the overall repressor-DNA interaction. The major role of low molecular weight ions in the repressor-DNA interaction suggests that ion concentration changes must be considered in discussing mechanisms of control of gene expression.