Mth10b: A Unique Protein That Doesn't Bind Nucleic Acids
Author Information
Author(s): Liu Yan-Feng, Zhang Nan, Yao Hong-Wei, Pan Xian-Ming, Ge Meng
Primary Institution: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Hypothesis
Is Mth10b a nucleic acid-binding protein?
Conclusion
Mth10b does not bind DNA or RNA, suggesting it may have a different physiological function than other Sac10b family members.
Supporting Evidence
- Mth10b has a high homology with other Sac10b family proteins but is acidic, unlike the basic nature of its relatives.
- Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis showed that Mth10b does not bind to DNA or RNA in vitro.
- Mth10b exists primarily as a stable dimer in solution.
Takeaway
Mth10b is a special protein that looks like it should bind to DNA or RNA, but it actually doesn't, which means it might do something else in the cell.
Methodology
Mth10b was expressed in E. coli and purified using a three-column chromatography procedure, followed by biochemical characterization and electrophoretic mobility shift analysis.
Limitations
The physiological function of Mth10b remains unknown.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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