How Might the Potential Binding of a Protein to a Specific

Question

How might the potential binding of a protein to a specific fragment of DNA be investigated?
A)primer extension
B)western blotting
C)gel mobility shift assays
D)isoelectric focusing

Accepted Answer

Gel mobility shift (or EMSA) assays are commonly used to investigate the binding of a protein to a specific fragment of DNA. In this assay, labeled DNA fragments are mixed with the protein of interest and run on a gel. If the protein binds to the DNA, the resulting complex will migrate more slowly through the gel than the free DNA fragment, leading to a shift in the band pattern. This method is relatively simple and can provide information about the specificity and affinity of the protein-DNA interaction. The other options (primer extension, western blotting, and isoelectric focusing) are not appropriate for investigating protein-DNA interactions.