A Methylation-Directed, Synthetic Pap Switch Based on Self-Complementary Regulatory DNA Reconstituted in an All Cell-Free Expression System.

Pyelonephritis-associated pili (pap) enable migration of the uropathogenic strain (UPEC) through the urinary tract. UPEC can switch between a stable 'ON phase' where the corresponding genes are expressed and a stable 'OFF phase' where their transcription is repressed. Hereditary DNA methylation of either one of two GATC motives within the regulatory region stabilizes the respective phase over many generations.

Residue-specific Incorporation of Noncanonical Amino Acids into Model Proteins Using an Escherichia coli Cell-free Transcription-translation System.

The canonical set of amino acids leads to an exceptionally wide range of protein functionality. Nevertheless, the set of residues still imposes limitations on potential protein applications. The incorporation of noncanonical amino acids can enlarge this scope.

Cell-free expression with the toxic amino acid canavanine.

Canavanine is a naturally occurring noncanonical amino acid, which is analogous to arginine. It is a potent antimetabolite and natural allelochemic agent, capable of affecting or blocking regulatory and catalytic reactions that involve arginine. Incorporated into proteins at arginine positions, canavanine can be detrimental to protein stability and functional integrity.

Stability of double-stranded oligonucleotide DNA with a bulged loop: a microarray study.

Background: DNA is a carrier of biological information. The hybridization process, the formation of the DNA double-helix from single-strands with complementary sequences, is important for all living cells. DNA microarrays, among other biotechnologies such as PCR, rely on DNA hybridization.