Elucidation of pseudo-SAP and SAP box medicated DNA structural changes in DEK
Original by: Mimi
The ATP-independent supercoiling activity of DEK is mediated by two DNA binding domains termed pseudo-SAP (unique to DEK) and SAP-box located centrally in DEK. The mechanism of this activity remains unknown. Based on experimental, predication and molecular docking data, we hypothesize that simultaneous intercalation of aromatic amino acid present in both domains is required for DEK’s supercoiling activity.
To test this hypothesis, we utilized 33 GST-fusion proteins, containing point mutations in one or more secondary structure elements of DEK. These fusion proteins were expressed and purified from E. coli and subjected to DNA binding (EMSA) and 1D or 2D DNA topology assays.
This project has been selected as an SRS project in 2024.
