Open AccessIdentification of two homologous mitochondrial DNA sequences, which bind strongly and specifically to a mitrochondrial protein ofParacentrotus lividus
Author(s) -
Marina Roberti,
Anna Mustich,
Maria Nicola Gadaleta,
Palmiro Cantatore
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
nucleic acids research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 9.008
H-Index - 537
eISSN - 1362-4954
pISSN - 0305-1048
DOI - 10.1093/nar/19.22.6249
Subject(s) - paracentrotus lividus , biology , sea urchin , mitochondrial dna , dna binding protein , genetics , dna replication , microbiology and biotechnology , dna , transcription factor , gene
Using a combination of band shift and DNasel protection experiments, two Paracentrotus lividus mitochondrial sequences, able to bind tightly and selectively to a mitochondrial protein from sea urchin embryos, have been found. The two sequences, which compete with each other for binding to the protein, are located in two genome regions which are thought to contain regulatory signals for mitochondrial replication and transcription. A computer analysis suggests that the sequence TTTTRTANNTCYYATCAYA, common to the two binding regions, is the minimal recognition signal for the binding to the protein. We discuss the hypothesis that the protein binding capacity of these two sequences is involved in the control of sea urchin mtDNA replication during developmental stages.