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. 1992 Dec;174(23):7864–7867. doi: 10.1128/jb.174.23.7864-7867.1992

HMf, a histone-related protein from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Methanothermus fervidus, binds preferentially to DNA containing phased tracts of adenines.

M T Howard 1, K Sandman 1, J N Reeve 1, J D Griffith 1
PMCID: PMC207508  PMID: 1447158

Abstract

HMf, a histone-related protein from Methanothermus fervidus, was found to bind preferentially to a DNA that is intrinsically bent as a result of the presence of phased oligo(dA) tracts. The intergenic regions in M. fervidus DNA are A+T rich and frequently contain oligo(dA) tracts, some of which may have the size and phasing required to create a net bending in one direction. The binding of HMf to bent DNA could play a direct role in gene expression and stabilization of the genome of this organism.

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Selected References

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