Comparing binding site information to binding affinity reveals that Crp/DNA complexes have several distinct binding conformers

Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Aug;39(15):6813-24. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkr369. Epub 2011 May 17.

Abstract

We show that the cAMP receptor protein (Crp) binds to DNA as several different conformers. This situation has precluded discovering a high correlation between any sequence property and binding affinity for proteins that bend DNA. Experimentally quantified affinities of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cAMP receptor protein (SyCrp1), the Escherichia coli Crp (EcCrp, also CAP) and DNA were analyzed to mathematically describe, and make human-readable, the relationship of DNA sequence and binding affinity in a given system. Here, sequence logos and weight matrices were built to model SyCrp1 binding sequences. Comparing the weight matrix model to binding affinity revealed several distinct binding conformations. These Crp/DNA conformations were asymmetrical (non-palindromic).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein / chemistry*
  • Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein / standards
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Reference Standards
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Synechocystis

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • crp protein, E coli
  • DNA