Molecular mechanism of interaction between oligopeptides and double-stranded DNA

Abstract

Formation of Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly peptide complex with duplex DNA [poly(dA-dT):poly(dA-dT)] at neutral pH and ambient temperature was studied experimentally. Peptide binding to duplex DNA was associated with hyperchromic effect indicating local separation of the double helix. Energies of paired interactions between amino acid residues and nucleotide bases were compared with the energy of bond between two bases in the nucleotide pair (dA-dT). A new concept of interaction between two types of information-carrying molecules is put forward. This interaction underlies triggering of protein synthesis mechanism and can explain the emergence of life on the Earth.