A mini-review of the diffusion dynamics of DNA-binding proteins: Experiments and models

TL;DR

This review summarizes experimental and theoretical studies on the complex diffusion behaviors of DNA-binding proteins, highlighting their biological importance and the diversity of diffusion mechanisms involved.

Contribution

It compiles and analyzes recent research on the diffusion dynamics of DNA-binding proteins from experimental and modeling perspectives.

Findings

Diffusion behaviors are protein-specific and complex.

Experimental and theoretical studies provide complementary insights.

Understanding diffusion aids in elucidating DNA-protein interactions.

Abstract

In the course of various biological processes, specific DNA-binding proteins must find a particular target sequence/protein or a damaged site on the DNA efficiently. DNA-binding proteins perform this task based on diffusion. Yet, investigations over recent decades have found that the diffusion dynamics of DNA-binding proteins are generally complicated and, further, protein-specific. In this review, we collect the experimental and theoretical studies that quantify the diffusion dynamics of DNA-binding proteins and review them from the viewpoint of diffusion processes.