Physics (Internal)

Target location by proteins - typical vs. average times

This event is part of the Biophysics/Condensed Matter Seminar Series.

Abstract:

Genomic expression depends critically both on the ability of regulatory proteins to locate specific target sites on a DNA within seconds and on the formation of long lived (many minutes) complexes between these proteins and the DNA. Equilibrium experiments show that indeed regulatory proteins bind tightly to their target site. However, they also find strong binding to other non-specific sites which act as traps that can dramatically increase the time needed to locate the target. This gives rise to a conflict between the speed and stability requirements. In this tal a simple mechanism which can resolve this long-standing paradox will be suggested.