SAXS Clarifies Mechanism of DNA Recognition by Polynucleotide Kinase.

In this paper, published in Nucleic Acid Research, the authors used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) combined with advanced computational approaches to characterize the conformational variability and DNA-binding properties of PNK. Extensive use of the SAXS capabilities of the SIBYLS beamline allowed the authors to visualize a flexible attachment of the FHA domain to the catalytic segment and localize the DNA in the DNA/PNK complex.

Bernstein NK, Hammel M, Mani RS, Weinfeld M, Pelikan M, Tainer JA, Glover JN. “Mechanism of DNA substrate recognition by the mammalian DNA repair enzyme, Polynucleotide Kinase.” Nucleic Acids Res. 2009 Aug 11. [epub].