Crystallographic studies by x-ray diffraction of dna fragments rich in a-t base pairs and their interactions with basic proteins

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Project objective

Research objectives and content The interest of this research work is directed to study DNA polymers and oligomers containing A-T base pairs by X-ray diffraction. The two main objectives consist in determining the structure of A-T rich regions in DNA double helices and in understanding the interaction of these DNA sequences with basic proteins. This alternating sequence is also essential for DNA trascription, since it is the essential element of the TATA box. This project aims to understand further the versatility of (TA)n sequences, in particular when they interact with non-specific proteins such as protamines and histones. The first part of the research work consists in searching the D form of the following sequences by single crystal X-ray diffraction; trying to find adequate crys-allization conditions, which should promote the D form. The second part consists in co-crystallizing these fragments with basic peptides. The peptide sequences are consensus sequences of histone Hl and some basic sperm proteins. Besides this, the CGTATATACG refinament structure represents another important objective in a short time. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) Objective: To obtain the Ph.D degree; Benefit: To learn Macromolecular Crystallography; Expected Impact: Find new structures of DNA, improving knowledge about relation between topology and function. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)

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Participants

• UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA · BARCELONACoordinatorSpain

Links

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