Determination of recognition-sequences for DNA-binding proteins by a polymerase chain reaction assisted binding site selection method (BSS) using nitrocellulose immobilized DNA binding protein.

We have developed a simple procedure for rapid determination of a DNA sequence recognized by a DNA binding protein based on immobilization of the protein on nitrocellulose filters. The procedure consists of the following steps: A recombinant protein with a functional DNA binding domain is expressed in E. coli. The protein is purified to homogeneity, immobilized on nitrocellulose paper, and exposed to a pool of double stranded oligonucleotides carrying in the central part a 20 bp random sequence, which is flanked by conserved sequences with restriction endonuclease recognition sites for analytical and subcloning purposes and sequences complementary to polymerase chain reaction primers. Oligonucleotides retained by the DNA-binding protein are liberated by increasing the ionic strength and used in a new binding process after amplification by the polymerase chain reaction technique. Finally the amplified product is cloned for determination of the DNA sequence selected by the DNA-binding protein. Murine Zn-finger and basic helix-loop-helix DNA binding proteins were used to demonstrate the efficiency of the method. We show that the yield of oligonucleotides binding to the protein was increased by several consecutive rounds of filter binding and amplification, and that the protein extracted a specific sequence from the pool of random oligonucleotides.