Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) for in vitro detection of protein-nucleic acid interactions

STAR Protoc. 2024 Jun 21;5(2):103128. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103128. Epub 2024 Jun 13.

Abstract

Protein-nucleic acid interactions drive some of the most important physiological events in cells. Here, we present a protocol for detecting protein-DNA or protein-RNA interactions in vitro. We describe steps for labeling nucleic acid species and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). This protocol can be used to confirm suspected in vivo interactions using recombinantly expressed/purified proteins of interest and a nucleic acid substrate. It can further be used to investigate mutations that can disrupt interaction or compensatory mutations that restore it. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Mansouri-Noori et al.1.

Keywords: Gene Expression; Molecular Biology; Molecular/Chemical Probes; Protein Biochemistry.

MeSH terms

  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay* / methods
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acids / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA
  • DNA
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nucleic Acids