Visualizing protein-DNA interactions in live bacterial cells using photoactivated single-molecule tracking

J Vis Exp. 2014 Mar 10:(85):51177. doi: 10.3791/51177.

Abstract

Protein-DNA interactions are at the heart of many fundamental cellular processes. For example, DNA replication, transcription, repair, and chromosome organization are governed by DNA-binding proteins that recognize specific DNA structures or sequences. In vitro experiments have helped to generate detailed models for the function of many types of DNA-binding proteins, yet, the exact mechanisms of these processes and their organization in the complex environment of the living cell remain far less understood. We recently introduced a method for quantifying DNA-repair activities in live Escherichia coli cells using Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (PALM) combined with single-molecule tracking. Our general approach identifies individual DNA-binding events by the change in the mobility of a single protein upon association with the chromosome. The fraction of bound molecules provides a direct quantitative measure for the protein activity and abundance of substrates or binding sites at the single-cell level. Here, we describe the concept of the method and demonstrate sample preparation, data acquisition, and data analysis procedures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Polymerase I / chemistry
  • DNA Polymerase I / metabolism
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA, Neoplasm / chemistry
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • DNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
  • Photobleaching
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Proteins
  • DNA
  • DNA Polymerase I