If you are studying DNA-binding proteins and you are given the amino acid sequences of all the proteins encoded by the genome of a certain species and are asked to find candidate proteins that could bind DNA, what type of amino acids would you expect to see in such proteins? Why?

Question

If you are studying DNA-binding proteins and you are given the amino acid sequences of all the proteins encoded by the genome of a certain species and are asked to find candidate proteins that could bind DNA, what type of amino acids would you expect to see in such proteins?  Why?

bioepic · Answer

Post this in AP bio.
You will get more help there.
@mrdoldum

anonymous · Answer

Is it the MIT OCW one?

anonymous · Answer

@beccaboo333

bioepic · Answer

No, just click on the topic 'biology' and you will see a subtopic 'AP biology'.
However, you can still get help in the Mit ocw one. (It just takes much longer).

bioepic · Answer

By the way:
DNA is negatively charged so the amino acids most likely to bind are going to have to be positively charged at pH 7. These amino acids would be : Histidine, Arginine, and Lysine

anonymous · Answer

Did you get that from yahoo?

bioepic · Answer

Yeah :P :)

anonymous · Answer

I'm questioning the authenticity and logic behind that, so I'll ask others. Thank you, though.

bioepic · Answer

No problem :)

anonymous · Answer

If you are having trust issues with BioEpic I can assure you his logic is valid and sound.  DNA does has a overall negative charge.  If you want, google "DNA-binding domains" and you'll get more than you want probably.