Recognition of nucleic acids and chemically-damaged DNA by peptides and protein.

Abstract

Recognition of nucleic acid base sequences or nucleic acid structures is a fundamental process at every step of genetic expression. Very specific base sequences are recognized by operators, RNA polymerases, restriction endonucleases…. Specific recognition of single stranded nucleic acids is achieved for example by helix destabilizing proteins which are involved in DNA replication, repair, and recombination. The secondary and tertiary structure of ribonucleic acids certainly plays a key role in the recognition of tRNA’s by aminoacyl—tRNA synthetases, of ribosomal RNA’s by ribosomal proteins…