We demonstrate the feasibility of a single-molecule microfluidic approach to both sequence detection and obtaining kinetic information for restriction endonucleases on dsDNA. In this method, a microfluidic stagnation point flow is designed to trap, hold, and linearize double-stranded (ds) genomic DNA to which a restriction endonuclease has been pre-bound sequence-specifically. By introducing th...

DNA strands coated with AuNPs were cleaved by restriction enzymes while in solution or on a surface. Enzymatic activity was verified by gel electrophoresis prior to surface analysis. Cleavage results suggest that enzymes can recognize the AuNP-coated strands while on the surfaces, though specificity in digestion has not yet been verified. Development allows for advances in site specific localiz...

Taq DNA polymerase is widely used in laboratories and for this reason many investigators have focused their attention on understanding the role of various regions and amino acids in this enzyme. O-helix is a part of taq polymerase suggested to play an important role in the enzyme fidelity. The influence of Asn666 in this helix on the enzyme function has never been investigated, and therefore by...

DNA methylation-dependent restriction enzymes have many applications in genetic engineering and in the analysis of the epigenetic state of eukaryotic genomes. Nevertheless, high-resolution structures have not yet been reported, and therefore mechanisms of DNA methylation-dependent cleavage are not understood. Here, we present a biochemical analysis and high-resolution DNA co-crystal structure o...

FokI is a type IIs restriction endonuclease which recognizes an asymmetric DNA sequence and cleaves DNA a short distance away from the sequence. The enzyme is bipartite in nature with its DNA recognition and cleavage functions located on distinct domains. We report here cocrystals of the complete FokI enzyme (579 amino acids) bound to a 20-bp DNA fragment containing its recognition sequence. Th...

For many applications it would be desirable to be able to control the activity of proteins by using an external signal. In the present study, we have explored the possibility of modulating the activity of a restriction enzyme with light. By cross-linking two suitably located cysteine residues with a bifunctional azobenzene derivative, which can adopt a cis- or trans-configuration when illuminat...