Transcription factors regulate gene activity by binding specific regions of genomic DNA thanks to a subtle interplay of specific and nonspecific interactions that is challenging to quantify. Here, we exploit Reflective Phantom Interface (RPI), a label-free biosensor based on optical reflectivity, to investigate the binding of the N-terminal domain of Gal4, a well-known gene regulator, to double-stranded DNA fragments containing or not its consensus sequence. The analysis of RPI-binding curves provides interaction strength and kinetics and their dependence on temperature and ionic strength. We found that the binding of Gal4 to its cognate site is stronger, as expected, but also markedly slower. We performed a combined analysis of specific and nonspecific binding—equilibrium and kinetics—by means of a simple model based on nested potential wells and found that the free energy gap between specific and nonspecific binding is of the order of one kcal/mol only. We investigated the origin of such a small value by performing all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of Gal4–DNA interactions. We found a strong enthalpy–entropy compensation, by which the binding of Gal4 to its cognate sequence entails a DNA bending and a striking conformational freezing, which could be instrumental in the biological function of Gal4.

A Bit Stickier, a Bit Slower, a Lot Stiffer: Specific vs. Nonspecific Binding of Gal4 to DNA / T. Carzaniga, G. Zanchetta, E. Frezza, L. Casiraghi, L. Vanjur, G. Nava, G. Tagliabue, G. Dieci, M. Buscaglia, T. Bellini. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES. - ISSN 1422-0067. - 22:8(2021 Apr 02), pp. 3813.1-3813.16. [10.3390/ijms22083813]

A Bit Stickier, a Bit Slower, a Lot Stiffer: Specific vs. Nonspecific Binding of Gal4 to DNA

T. Carzaniga
Primo
;
G. Zanchetta
Secondo
;
L. Casiraghi;L. Vanjur;G. Nava;G. Tagliabue;M. Buscaglia
Penultimo
;
T. Bellini
Ultimo
2021

Abstract

Transcription factors regulate gene activity by binding specific regions of genomic DNA thanks to a subtle interplay of specific and nonspecific interactions that is challenging to quantify. Here, we exploit Reflective Phantom Interface (RPI), a label-free biosensor based on optical reflectivity, to investigate the binding of the N-terminal domain of Gal4, a well-known gene regulator, to double-stranded DNA fragments containing or not its consensus sequence. The analysis of RPI-binding curves provides interaction strength and kinetics and their dependence on temperature and ionic strength. We found that the binding of Gal4 to its cognate site is stronger, as expected, but also markedly slower. We performed a combined analysis of specific and nonspecific binding—equilibrium and kinetics—by means of a simple model based on nested potential wells and found that the free energy gap between specific and nonspecific binding is of the order of one kcal/mol only. We investigated the origin of such a small value by performing all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of Gal4–DNA interactions. We found a strong enthalpy–entropy compensation, by which the binding of Gal4 to its cognate sequence entails a DNA bending and a striking conformational freezing, which could be instrumental in the biological function of Gal4.
Biophysics; Biosensor; Entropy–enthalpy compensation; Molecular dynamics; Protein–DNA interactions; Transcription factors
Settore FIS/07 - Fisica Applicata(Beni Culturali, Ambientali, Biol.e Medicin)
   Piattaforma per l’identificazione di target di rilevanza farmacologica per il trattamento di patologie del sistema nervoso e oncologiche ad elevato bisogno di cura (NeOn)
   NeOn
   REGIONE LOMBARDIA
   239047

   SOFT ADAPTIVE NETWORKS
   MINISTERO DELL'ISTRUZIONE E DEL MERITO
   2017Z55KCW_002
2-apr-2021
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/832334
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