Tau protein binds single‐stranded DNA sequence specifically – the proof obtained in vitro with non‐equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures

Tau is a microtubule‐associated protein, which plays an important role in physiology and pathology of neurons. Tau has been recently reported to bind double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) but not to bind single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) [Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 2003, 60, 413–421]. Here, we prove that tau binds not only dsDNA but also ssDNA. This finding was facilitated by using two kinetic capillary electrophoresis methods: (i) non‐equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM); (ii) affinity‐mediated NECEEM. Using the new approach, we observed, for the first time, that tau could induce dissociation of strands in dsDNA by binding one of them in a sequence‐specific fashion. Moreover, we determined the equilibrium dissociation constants for all tau–DNA complexes studied.

Tau protein binds single‐stranded DNA sequence specifically – the proof obtained in vitro with non‐equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures Journal Articles