Monitoring the interaction between DNA and a transcription factor (MEF2A) using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

C R Biol. 2005 Dec;328(12):1033-40. doi: 10.1016/j.crvi.2005.07.007. Epub 2005 Oct 24.

Abstract

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is an analytical method that allows distinguishing different populations of fluorescent probes in solution and provides data on their concentrations and their diffusion coefficients. FCS was used to characterize the interaction of the transcription factor (MEF2A) with its DNA target sequence. The myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) belongs to the MADS-box family and activates transcription of numerous muscle genes during myogenesis. Measurements were made using TAMRA-labelled oligonucleotide duplexes derived from a wild type (WT) or a mutated MEF2 target gene. Binding of the protein to the WT DNA resulted in significant changes of the diffusion. Specificity of the interaction was confirmed using the mutated DNA. Bound to free probe ratios were determined at different MEF2A concentrations and the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant K(D) for the full-length MEF2A was estimated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA Primers
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • MADS Domain Proteins / genetics
  • MADS Domain Proteins / isolation & purification
  • MADS Domain Proteins / metabolism*
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / isolation & purification
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / metabolism*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • MADS Domain Proteins
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • MEF2A protein, human
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • DNA