Quantitative analysis of DNA-protein interactions using double-labeled native gel electrophoresis and fluorescence-based imaging

Electrophoresis. 2006 Aug;27(16):3166-70. doi: 10.1002/elps.200500872.

Abstract

We have developed a sensitive, non-radioactive method to assess the interaction of transcription factors/DNA-binding proteins with DNA. We have modified the traditional radiolabeled DNA gel mobility shift assay to incorporate a DNA probe end-labeled with a Texas-red fluorophore and a DNA-binding protein tagged with the green fluorescent protein to monitor precisely DNA-protein complexation by native gel electrophoresis. We have applied this method to the DNA-binding proteins telomere release factor-1 and the sex-determining region-Y, demonstrating that the method is sensitive (able to detect 100 fmol of fluorescently labeled DNA), permits direct visualization of both the DNA probe and the DNA-binding protein, and enables quantitative analysis of DNA and protein complexation, and thereby an estimation of the stoichiometry of protein-DNA binding.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / analysis*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Probes / chemistry
  • DNA Probes / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / analysis*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / methods*
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay / methods*
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorescent Dyes / analysis
  • Genes, sry
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / analysis
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Protein Binding
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1 / analysis
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1 / genetics
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / analysis*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1
  • Transcription Factors
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • DNA