Bridging the macroscopic and microscopic: a volumetric approach to DNA recognition

Abstract

Living cells adapt to osmotically variable conditions in their environment. To understand the molecular basis of these adaptations, it is necessary to study the hydration properties of the biomolecular interactions that mediate the osmotic stress response. Gene expression studies have shown that the transcription factor PU.1 regulates target genes in response to cellular hyperosmotic stress, and osmotic pressure studies in vitro have shown that the high-affinity and low-affinity DNA binding modes of PU.1 are differentially hydrated.