One-Dimensional Movements of Nucleic Acid-Binding Proteins and Their Biological Functions
YANG Xiaowen, LIU Jiaquan*
Numerous kinetic studies have documented the 1D (one-dimensional ) movements of nucleic acid-binding proteins along macromolecular nucleic acid. These movements, although generally independent of specific nucleic acid sequences, play critical roles in various biological processes. For example, transcription factors locate promoter or enhancer regions through 1D movements to regulate gene expression; DNA repair proteins detect DNA damage and initiate repair signals by 1D movements; SMCs (structural maintenance of chromosomes) also employ 1D movements to regulate chromosome structure, etc. However, evaluating the physiological significance of these motions in relation to the nucleic acid-binding protein’s functions remains a major challenge. This paper will introduce the modes of 1D movements of the nucleic acid-binding proteins, discuss the applications and advantages of single-molecule techniques for real-time observation of 1D movement, and summarize recent discoveries regarding their biological functions.
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