Abstract
Here we review the present state of structural and functional studies of the Sac10b protein family, a class of highly conserved 10 kDa nucleic acid-binding proteins in archaea. Based on biochemical and structural studies, these proteins were originally assigned a role in the structural organization of chromatin; Sac10b proteins of hyperthermophilic archaea, for example, showed tight, unspecific DNA binding. More recently, however, Sac10b proteins of mesophilic archaea were found to interact preferentially with specific DNA sequences thereby affecting the expression of distinct genes. Furthermore, Sac10b proteins of hyperthermophilic, thermophilic and mesophilic archaea were also shown to bind to RNA with distinct affinities and specificities but functional consequences of RNA binding of these proteins, besides perhaps RNA stabilization, have not yet been observed. To better understand the physiological meaning of the various interactions of Sac10b proteins with nucleic acids, future work should concentrate on elucidating the molecular structures of complexes of Sac10b proteins of hyperthermophilic and mesophilic archaea with DNA and RNA. In addition, existing and new X-ray and NMR structures of individual hyperthermophilic Sac10b proteins may represent very good models for introducing thermostability especially in enzymes for industrial use.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
