Affiliations: Department of Chemistry–Biology, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
Note: [] Corresponding author: H.A. Tajmir-Riahi, Department of Chemistry–Biology, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada G9A 5H7. Tel.: +1 819 376 5052 (ext. 3310); Fax: +1 819 376 5084; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: In this chapter the fundamental question of how does protein–DNA or protein–RNA interaction affect the structures and dynamics of DNA, RNA and protein is addressed. Models for calf-thymus DNA and transfer RNA interactions with human serum albumin (HSA), ribonuclease A (RNase A) and deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) are presented here, using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in conjunction with UV-visible and CD spectroscopic methods. In the models considered, the binding sites, stability and structural aspects of protein–DNA and protein–RNA are discussed and the effects of protein interaction on the secondary structures of DNA, RNA and protein were determined.