Stoichiometry of the binding of chromosomal protein MCl from the archaebacterium,Methanosarcinaspp. CHTI55, to DNA

We have investigated the binding Stoichiometry of the chromosomal MCl protein on DNA using the gel retardation technique. Analysis of the distribution of the complex containing 0, 1, 2, 3...... bound proteins shows that the protein MCl interacts with the DNA as a monomer. Binding experiments with short DNA fragments of various lengths shows that the site size is 11 bp in length. These results are compared to those obtained with other chromosomal proteins including HU protein.