Regulation of protein mobility is a fundamental aspect of cellular processes. In this study, we examined the impact of DNA methylation on the diffusion of nucleoid associated protein Hfq. This protein is one of the most abundant proteins that shapes the bacterial chromosome and is involved in several aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. Fluorescence microscopy was employed to monitor the movement of Hfq along double-stranded DNA, which was stretched due to confinement within a nanofluidic channel. The mobility of Hfq is significantly influenced by DNA methylation. Our results underscore the importance of bacterial epigenetic modifications in governing the movement of nucleoid associated proteins such as Hfq. Increased levels of methylation result in enhanced binding affinity, which in turn slows down the diffusion of Hfq on DNA. The reported control of protein mobility by DNA methylation has potential implications for the mechanisms involved in target DNA search processes and dynamic modelling of the bacterial chromosome.

中文翻译：

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碱基甲基化对细菌蛋白 Hfq 对双链 DNA 结合和迁移率的影响


蛋白质迁移率的调节是细胞过程的一个基本方面。在这项研究中，我们检查了 DNA 甲基化对类核相关蛋白 Hfq 扩散的影响。这种蛋白质是塑造细菌染色体的最丰富的蛋白质之一，并参与核酸代谢的多个方面。荧光显微镜用于监测 Hfq 沿双链 DNA 的运动，该 DNA 由于受限在纳米流体通道内而被拉伸。Hfq 的迁移率受 DNA 甲基化的显著影响。我们的结果强调了细菌表观遗传修饰在控制类核相关蛋白（如 Hfq）运动中的重要性。甲基化水平的增加导致结合亲和力增强，这反过来又减慢了 Hfq 在 DNA 上的扩散。据报道，DNA 甲基化对蛋白质迁移的控制对靶 DNA 搜索过程和细菌染色体动态建模所涉及的机制具有潜在影响。