Kim, SangjinBroströmer, ErikJin, JianshiChong, ShashaGe, HaoWang, SiyuanGu, ChanYang, LijiangGao, Yi QinSu, Xiao-dongSun, YujieXie, XiaoliangXing, Dong2013-03-292013Kim, Sangjin, Erik Broströmer, Dong Xing, Jianshi Jin, Shasha Chong, Hao Ge, Siyuan Wang, et al. 2013. Probing allostery through DNA. Science 339(6121): 816-819.0036-80751095-9203http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:10482573Allostery is well documented for proteins but less recognized for DNA-protein interactions. Here, we report that specific binding of a protein on DNA is substantially stabilized or destabilized by another protein bound nearby. The ternary complex's free energy oscillates as a function of the separation between the two proteins with a periodicity of ~10 base pairs, the helical pitch of B-form DNA, and a decay length of ~15 base pairs. The binding affinity of a protein near a DNA hairpin is similarly dependent on their separation, which—together with molecular dynamics simulations—suggests that deformation of the double-helical structure is the origin of DNA allostery. The physiological relevance of this phenomenon is illustrated by its effect on gene expression in live bacteria and on a transcription factor's affinity near nucleosomes.en-USJournal Article2013-03-2910.1126/science.1229223