Many processes in the genetic life of the cell requires the specific interaction between proteins and DNA. While DNA is normally thought of as a straight double helix, it can be distorted by bending and twisting, and these alterations are critical to a number of cellular processes. These include transcription (by which the genetic message is read), recombination (rearrangements by which new combinations of genes come about), and the repair of DNA damage. An interesting group of the proteins have the important role of recognising and manipulating DNA structure. This book draws together themes from different parts of molecular biology to bring out the importance of DNA structure in the interactions between proteins and DNA, and generates a new perspective on DNA-protein interactions.

Readership: Researchers (faculty, post-doctoral, post-graduate) in molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology.

Edited by David M. J. Lilley, Director, CRC Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group

1.: DNA-protein interaction at high resolution
2.: DNA bending by sequence and proteins
3.: Enzymes that supercoil DNA
4.: Recognition of DNA damage and repair
5.: Structure-recognition by DNA junction resolving enzymes
6.: Site-specific recombinases and their interactions with DNA
7.: The HMG-box domain