pTP binds as a monomer to short DNA duplexes in the presence of two opposing single strands. At the bottom of (A), the structures of the DNA probes examined are schematically indicated. (A) pTP ranges from 0 to 160 fmol in 2-fold increments were incubated with the indicated DNA probes in an EMSA. YG:YC, CG-rich stem; YG:YTC, CG-stem with 5′ 8 nt T overhang; YGT:YC, CG-stem with 3′ 8 nt T overhang; YGT:YTC, CG-stem with two opposing 8 nt T overhangs. (B) Time course analysis of 8 nM pTP binding in EMSA before (0 min) and after addition of 31 ng competitor vector dsDNA (1–16 min). The fraction pTP bound to DNA was indexed at 100% to allow comparison of the relative stability of pTP binding.