GATC motifs may alter the conformation of DNA depending on sequence context and N6-adenine methylation status: possible implications for DNA-protein recognition (original) (raw)

Abstract

As part of our analysis of the role of a uniquely clustered set of dam methylation sites (the motif GATC) within the origin of DNA replication in Escherichia coli, we have studied the effect of GATCs in various methylation states on the intrinsic curvature of DNA. We have designed a set of DNA linkers and used commercially available linkers containing GATC motifs. The linkers were ligated and the electrophoretic mobility of the resulting multimers in different states of methylation was tested relative to reference fragments. We report that properly phased GATCs in certain sequence environments modulate DNA curvature and that these effects may be enhanced by N6-adenine methylation of the GATCs. These structural alterations may in turn affect DNA-protein interactions, especially those involving proteins that rely on both primary sequence and structure for recognition. We present an example, where introduction of a GATC within an integration host factor (IHF) binding site, which does not alter the consensus sequence, reduces the binding affinity of the protein for the modified site.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Braun Laboratories 147-75, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA Fax: +626-405-9452; e-mail: jcampbel@cco.caltech.edu, , , , , , US
    P. Polaczek, K. Kwan & J. L. Campbell

Authors

  1. P. Polaczek
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. K. Kwan
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. J. L. Campbell
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received: 16 December 1997 / Accepted: 24 February 1998

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Polaczek, P., Kwan, K. & Campbell, J. GATC motifs may alter the conformation of DNA depending on sequence context and N6-adenine methylation status: possible implications for DNA-protein recognition.Mol Gen Genet 258, 488–493 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004380050759

Download citation