REVIEW: DNA Mimicry by Proteins as Effective Mechanism for Regulation of Activity of DNA-Dependent Enzymes

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G. B. Zavilgelsky^* and S. M. Rastorguev

State Research Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, 1-yi Dorozhnyi Proezd 1, 117545 Moscow, Russia; fax: (495) 315-0501; E-mail: zavilgel@genetika.ru; rsergey@molgen.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received March 27, 2007; Revision received May 21, 2007

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Modern concepts on mechanisms of DNA-dependent enzyme regulation involving specific DNA-mimicking proteins are considered. There are proteins that share structural resemblance with DNA duplexes. These include inhibitors of type I restriction-modification enzymes (Ocr and ArdA), inhibitors of DNA gyrase MfpA and QnrABS, etc. We describe here structural features of these proteins and mechanisms responsible for their interaction with DNA-dependent enzymes and then discuss perspectives of use of DNA-mimicking proteins in analysis of replication, repair, recombination, mechanisms underlying resistance to antibiotics, and also fields of applied biotechnology.

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KEY WORDS: DNA-mimicry, antirestriction, drug resistance, quinolone, ArdA, MfpA, QnrABS, Ocr

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297907090015

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