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Protein binds whenever it can
June 24, 2003Dutch cancer researcher Joost Martens has discovered that the protein p300, which plays an important role in the correct transcription of DNA to RNA, can bind to DNA at several sites. The protein can also occupy a position in various complexes, each with its own protein composition. This knowledge is important for gaining a better understanding of how cancer develops.
In addition to the enzyme RNA polymerase, the transcription of DNA to RNA involves the protein p300. Martens discovered that the protein could bind to various sites on the DNA thus enabling RNA polymerase to transcribe the correct piece of DNA. The protein p300 has also been found in various complexes, each with its own protein composition, which bring the p300 to the correct site on the DNA.
A new technique, chromatin-immuno-precipitation (ChIP), visualised how p300 was recruited to the DNA elements involved. The technique makes a chemical cross-link between proteins and DNA in living cells. The researchers used this to examine which piece of DNA the protein bound to at a certain moment in time.
The p300 protein performs various functions. As well as guiding the transcription enzyme to the correct place, it also ensures that the DNA is unravelled at the correct moment to make it accessible for RNA polymerase. This is necessary because DNA is normally enclosed in an inaccessible structure, which in addition to the DNA contains various proteins: the histones.
There are strong indications that the p300 protein plays a role in the development of cancer. For example, viral proteins bound to p300 can cause a loss of cell-growth control. At that moment the production of DNA is stimulated and cell differentiation inhibited. Another indication is that the gene for this protein is mutated in various human tumours. As cancer, or disrupted cell growth, is a consequence of a change in the production of RNA, studying the transcription of DNA into RNA is an important element of cancer research.
NWO (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research)
The p300 protein performs various functions. As well as guiding the transcription enzyme to the correct place, it also ensures that the DNA is unravelled at the correct moment to make it accessible for RNA polymerase. This is necessary because DNA is normally enclosed in an inaccessible structure, which in addition to the DNA contains various proteins: the histones.
There are strong indications that the p300 protein plays a role in the development of cancer. For example, viral proteins bound to p300 can cause a loss of cell-growth control. At that moment the production of DNA is stimulated and cell differentiation inhibited. Another indication is that the gene for this protein is mutated in various human tumours. As cancer, or disrupted cell growth, is a consequence of a change in the production of RNA, studying the transcription of DNA into RNA is an important element of cancer research.
NWO (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research)
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