Analysis of DNA-protein interactions using PAGE: Band-shift assays

Abstract

The band-shift assay using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a powerful technique used to investigate DNA-protein interactions. The basis of the method is the separation of free DNA from DNA-protein complexes by virtue of differences in charge, size, and shape. The band-shift assay can be used to determine thermodynamic and kinetic binding constants and also to analyze the composition and stoichiometries of DNA-protein complexes. © Springer Science+Business Media, New York 2013.