Question

Explain why dimeric or multidomain proteins can bind to DNA with very high specificity.

Short answer

Dimeric or multidomain proteins can bind to DNA with very high specificity because of the substantial interface they form with the DNA.

Step-by-step solution

DNA-binding proteins

DNA binding proteins are proteins having domains for DNA binding. A DNA binding domain is an independently folded, self-stabilizing region of the polypeptide chain

Induced fit phenomenon

The complementarity of proteins with the DNA increase by the induced fit phenomenon where the DNA and the protein undergo conformational change for better stability.

Dimeric or Multidomain proteins

A macromolecular complex of two monomeric proteins or two protein domains of a single protein covalently bound is called dimeric proteins.They can bind to DNA with high affinity and specificity because a high degree of the interface occurs between the protein domains of these DNA binding proteins and the grooves of DNA (both major and minor).