scholarly journals Characterization of G-Quadruplexes Folding/Unfolding Dynamics and Interactions with Proteins from Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1579
Author(s):  
Yuanlei Cheng ◽  
Yashuo Zhang ◽  
Huijuan You
Keyword(s):  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Magnetic Tweezers ◽  
Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Multiple Structures ◽  
Regulation Functions ◽  
Nucleic Acid Structures

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are stable secondary nucleic acid structures that play crucial roles in many fundamental biological processes. The folding/unfolding dynamics of G4 structures are associated with the replication and transcription regulation functions of G4s. However, many DNA G4 sequences can adopt a variety of topologies and have complex folding/unfolding dynamics. Determining the dynamics of G4s and their regulation by proteins remains challenging due to the coexistence of multiple structures in a heterogeneous sample. Here, in this mini-review, we introduce the application of single-molecule force–spectroscopy methods, such as magnetic tweezers, optical tweezers, and atomic force microscopy, to characterize the polymorphism and folding/unfolding dynamics of G4s. We also briefly introduce recent studies using single-molecule force spectroscopy to study the molecular mechanisms of G4-interacting proteins.

scholarly journals Bioconjugation Strategies for Connecting Proteins to DNA-Linkers for Single-Molecule Force-Based Experiments

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2424
Author(s):  
Lyan M. van der Sleen ◽  
Katarzyna M. Tych
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Short Range ◽  
Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Magnetic Tweezers ◽  
Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force

The mechanical properties of proteins can be studied with single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) using optical tweezers, atomic force microscopy and magnetic tweezers. It is common to utilize a flexible linker between the protein and trapped probe to exclude short-range interactions in SMFS experiments. One of the most prevalent linkers is DNA due to its well-defined properties, although attachment strategies between the DNA linker and protein or probe may vary. We will therefore provide a general overview of the currently existing non-covalent and covalent bioconjugation strategies to site-specifically conjugate DNA-linkers to the protein of interest. In the search for a standardized conjugation strategy, considerations include their mechanical properties in the context of SMFS, feasibility of site-directed labeling, labeling efficiency, and costs.

scholarly journals Single-molecule force spectroscopy reveals folding steps associated with hormone binding and activation of the glucocorticoid receptor

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (46) ◽  
pp. 11688-11693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Suren ◽  
Daniel Rutz ◽  
Patrick Mößmer ◽  
Ulrich Merkel ◽  
Johannes Buchner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Energy ◽  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Mechanical Load ◽  
Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Folding Pathway ◽  
Hormone Binding ◽  
Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a prominent nuclear receptor linked to a variety of diseases and an important drug target. Binding of hormone to its ligand binding domain (GR-LBD) is the key activation step to induce signaling. This process is tightly regulated by the molecular chaperones Hsp70 and Hsp90 in vivo. Despite its importance, little is known about GR-LBD folding, the ligand binding pathway, or the requirement for chaperone regulation. In this study, we have used single-molecule force spectroscopy by optical tweezers to unravel the dynamics of the complete pathway of folding and hormone binding of GR-LBD. We identified a “lid” structure whose opening and closing is tightly coupled to hormone binding. This lid is located at the N terminus without direct contacts to the hormone. Under mechanical load, apo-GR-LBD folds stably and readily without the need of chaperones with a folding free energy of 41 kBT (24 kcal/mol). The folding pathway is largely independent of the presence of hormone. Hormone binds only in the last step and lid closure adds an additional 12 kBT of free energy, drastically increasing the affinity. However, mechanical double-jump experiments reveal that, at zero force, GR-LBD folding is severely hampered by misfolding, slowing it to less than 1·s−1. From the force dependence of the folding rates, we conclude that the misfolding occurs late in the folding pathway. These features are important cornerstones for understanding GR activation and its tight regulation by chaperones.

Going Vertical To Improve the Accuracy of Atomic Force Microscopy Based Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy

ACS Nano ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Walder ◽  
William J. Van Patten ◽  
Ayush Adhikari ◽  
Thomas T. Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force

Atomic force microscopy-based single-molecule force spectroscopy detects DNA base mismatches

Nanoscale ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (37) ◽  
pp. 17206-17210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjing Liu ◽  
Yourong Guo ◽  
Kaizhe Wang ◽  
Xingfei Zhou ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Dna Origami ◽  
Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Base Pair Mismatch ◽  
Dna Base ◽  
Single Base Pair ◽  
Target Molecules

AFM-based single-molecule-force spectroscopy is limited by low throughput. We introduce addressable DNA origami to study multiple target molecules at once. Target DNAs differing by only a single-base pair mismatch are clearly differentiated.

scholarly journals Single molecule force spectroscopy studies of DNA denaturation by T4 gene 32 protein

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C. Williams ◽  
Kiran Pant ◽  
Ioulia Rouzina ◽  
Richard L. Karpel
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Melting Transition ◽  
Dna Molecules ◽  
Force Extension ◽  
Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Gene 32

Single molecule force spectroscopy is an emerging technique that can be used to measure the biophysical properties of single macromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. In particular, single DNA molecule stretching experiments are used to measure the elastic properties of these molecules and to induce structural transitions. We have demonstrated that double‒stranded DNA molecules undergo a force‒induced melting transition at high forces. Force–extension measurements of single DNA molecules using optical tweezers allow us to measure the stability of DNA under a variety of solution conditions and in the presence of DNA binding proteins. Here we review the evidence of DNA melting in these experiments and discuss the example of DNA force‒induced melting in the presence of the single‒stranded DNA binding protein T4 gene 32. We show that this force spectroscopy technique is a useful probe of DNA–protein interactions, which allows us to obtain binding rates and binding free energies for these interactions.

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