Progress in the studies of DNA-protein interactions by atomic force microscopy.
- Author:
Yunqi WANG
1
;
Wentao LIAO
;
Jiye CAI
Author Information
1. Department of Chemistry, College of Life Science and Technology, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
DNA;
chemistry;
ultrastructure;
Humans;
Microscopy, Atomic Force;
methods;
Protein Binding;
Protein Interaction Mapping;
Proteins;
chemistry;
ultrastructure
- From:
Journal of Biomedical Engineering
2007;24(5):1172-1176
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been applied in many biological investigations in recent years, and this review focuses on the application of AFM in DNA-protein interactions. AFM images of static DNA-protein complexes, in air and in liquid, can be used to obtain quantitative and qualitative information on the structure of different complexes. And dynamic AFM images of DNA-protein complexation in real time under liquid conditions will help to understand biological processes and mechanisms at single molecule level. In addition, the measurement of intermolecular forces between biomolecules also provides new opportunities for studying mechanical properties of biomolecules and the interactions in their native environment. AFM has revealed many mechanisms of gene regulation, and will play a more and more important role in life science research.
