Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 6: Posters: DNA and DNA Enzymes

BP 6.8: Poster

Monday, March 22, 2010, 17:15–20:00, Poster B1

Stretching of DNA/TmHU-protein complexes in SMD simulations — •Carsten Olbrich and Ulrich Kleinekathöfer — Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany

The protein HU is a member of a family of prokaryotic proteins that interacts with the DNA in a non-specific way [1]. Its major function is the binding, compaction and stabilization of DNA. Steered molecular dynamic (SMD) simulations are applied to DNA which is bound to the HU protein of the bacteria Thermotoga maritima (TmHU). Using these all-atom simulations including explicit water and about 80,000 atoms in total, we are able to gain insight into the discrete disruptions events which occur when the DNA releases from the protein body. These disruptions were first observed in experiments performed with optical tweezers [2]. We will present a detailed view of those events on the atomistic scale.

[1] R. Dame and N. Goosen, FEBS Lett. 529, 151 (2006).

[2] M. Salomo, F. Kremer et al., J. Mol. Biol. 359, 769 (2006).