Biochemistry, 43 (14), 4055 -4063, 2004. 10.1021/bi049973s S0006-2960(04)09973-8
Web Release Date: March 17, 2004

Copyright © 2004 American Chemical Society

Structural Dynamics and Processing of Nucleic Acids Revealed by Single-Molecule Spectroscopy

Taekjip Ha*

Department of Physics and Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 USA

Received January 2, 2004

Revised Manuscript Received March 2, 2004

Abstract:

Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful method to observe real time movements of individual biological molecules while they are functioning without the need for synchronization. Dynamic characteristics of nucleic acids can now be easily and reliably studied, and new applications are emerging in which their recognition and processing by proteins and enzymes are being understood with unprecedented detail. The most recent examples are discussed, including the hairpin ribozyme, Holliday junction, G-quadruplex, Rep helicase, reverse transcriptase, and combination with mechanical manipulation.


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