About SSBP1 / Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein:
DNA is present first and foremost as a duplex to stabilize and protect our genome. Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein (SSBP) plays a role in DNA replication, recombination, and repair. Due to many cellular processes, like replication and transcription, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) is exposed.
SSBP1 Mechanism
Single-Stranded Binding Proteins stabilize the unwound DNA. SSB molecules bind to the newly separated individual DNA strands during DNA replication. What this does is keep the strands separated by holding them in place. The purpose is so that each strand can serve as a template for new DNA synthesis.
Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein Interactions
Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins bind and protect ssDNA intermediates. These are formed during replication, recombination, and repair reactions. These proteins also interact with several different genome maintenance proteins which then stimulate their enzymatic activities, as well as control and make their proper cellular localization possible.
SSBP1 Function
They’re essential proteins found in all domains of life. Single strand DNA binding proteins are vital during DNA synthesis. It’s because they work to prevent the coiling of the separated DNA strands. The distinguishing functional unit of the SSBs is the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB)-fold. This is a protein domain that makes the binding to ssDNA possible, as well as various protein-protein interactions.
Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein Structure
Single-strand DNA binding protein is a protein found in Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. SSB protein domains in bacteria are important in their function of maintaining DNA metabolism. It has a structure of three beta-strands to a single six-stranded beta-sheet which forms a protein dimer. Single-stranded DNA can fold up into different shapes since it's not as stiff as double-stranded DNA.