DNA Constraints Allow Rational Control of Macromolecular Conformation

DNA constraints allow rational control of macromolecular conformation.

We report that double-helical DNA constraints can be used to control the conformation of another molecule, RNA. When a covalently attached DNA constraint is structurally incompatible with the native Mg2+-dependent RNA conformation, RNA folding is disrupted, as revealed by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis and independently by chemical probing. Our approach is distinct from other efforts in DNA ...

Modulation of DNA constraints that control macromolecular folding.

Control of macromolecular structure and function using covalently attached double-stranded DNA constraints.

The biophysical properties of DNA suggest its use for applications beyond serving as the genetic material. Several recent reports describe the use of covalently attached double-stranded DNA for controlling the structures of other macromolecules such as protein and RNA. These exploitations of DNA rigidity are conceptually distinct from many other studies in the area of "DNA nanotechnology". Doub...

Control of Macromolecular Synthesis

It is indeed a privilege to read the life's work of an extremely competent investigator. This is the case with respect to Max Lurie's work, Resistance to Tuberculosis. The book is written in a most logical, clear and concise fashion. Each series of experiments follows one another as carefully planned building blocks to a most logical conclusion. It is difficult to "put this book down" as the re...

Yeast nucleosomes allow thermal untwisting of DNA.

Thermal untwisting of DNA is suppressed in vitro in nucleosomes formed with chicken or monkey histones. In contrast, results obtained for the 2 micron plasmid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are consistent with only 30% of the DNA being constrained from thermal untwisting in vivo. In this paper, we examine thermal untwisting of several plasmids in yeast cells, nuclei, and nuclear extracts. All show...