Figure 1.

Possible effects of a tag on target proteins and schematic of single-molecule DNA flow stretching

(A) Tags can structurally alter protein functions, causing mislocalization, disruption of protein binding and activity, as well as decreased protein stability and degradation of misfolded intermediates.

(B) In vitro single-molecule characterization of DNA compaction by ParB. Quantum dot end labeled lambda DNA is tethered to microfluidic flow channel. DNA is stretched upon application of hydrodynamic flow. Incorporation of ParB compacts the stretched DNA, likely by bridging distant segments of DNA through ParB dimers and oligomers.