Computational analysis of DNA photolyases using digital signal processing methods

• Published in: Molecular simulation 2006-12, Vol.32 (14), p.1195-1203
• Main Authors: Pirogova, E., Vojisavljevic, V., Fang, Q., Cosic, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active site; Characteristic frequency; Protein function; Signal processing
• ISSN: 0892-7022; 1029-0435
• DOI: 10.1080/08927020601052997

Sun light energy is used by plants to trigger their growth and development. However, an increase of UV-B light may lead to DNA damage. DNA photolyases are enzymes that repair the cyclobutane pyridine dimer (CPD) and 6-4 photoproduct lesions formed through UV irradiation of DNA. Many aspects of the repair process are under intense scientific investigation but still poorly understood. Here we have computationally analysed DNA-photolyases using the resonant recognition model (RRM), a physico-mathematical approach based on digital signal processing methods. The RRM proposes that protein interactions represent the transfer of resonant electromagnetic energy between interacting molecules at the particular frequency. Within this study we have determined photolyases characteristic frequency, "hot spots" amino acids corresponding to the functional mutations and functional active/binding sites, and designed photolyase peptide analogous. A mutual relationship between photolyase and p53 tumour suppressor protein has also been investigated. The results obtained provide new insights into the structure-function relationships of photolyase protein family.