Researchers Advance Understanding of Enzyme That Regulates DNA

 

Researchers Advance Understanding of Enzyme That Regulates DNA
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:48:00 -0500

Thanks to a single-molecule imaging technique developed by a University of Illinois professor, researchers have revealed the mechanisms of PcrA helicase, an important DNA-regulating enzyme. To prevent unwanted recombination of a damaged or degraded section of DNA, the enzyme binds at the point of the break, where the double- and single-stranded regions meet. Then, it uses its motor function to "reel in" the tail, like a fisherman pulling in a rope.

Full story at http://www.news.illinois.edu/news/10/0820_Taekjip_Ha_helicase.html
Source
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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