Biomolecular recognition ability of RecA as a model protein studied by using carbon nanotubes

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RecA proteins and single-stranded DNA binding (SSB) proteins were reacted with hybrids of DNA and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in order to verify biomolecular recognition ability of the protein molecules. Hybrids of DNA and CNT were assumed as dummy molecules of DNA. We found that RecA molecules could bind onto DNA molecules adsorbed on CNT surfaces. However, helical filamentous structures that are formed on bare DNA molecules were not appeared in the case of the hybrids of DNA and CNT. We also found that SSB proteins could distinguish single-stranded DNA from double-stranded DNA molecules even on CNT surface. These results basically provided helpful information to understand tolerance of biomolecular recognition ability of the proteins. Furthermore, our data is valuable to evaluate conditions of DNA molecules on CNT surfaces.