Structural and thermodynamic insights into the Cren7 mediated DNA organization in Crenarchaeota

Archaea have histone homologues and chromatin proteins to organize their DNA into a compact form. This allows them to survive in extreme climates. Cren7 is one such chromatin protein conserved in Crenarchaeota. When Cren7 binds to model natural DNA, calf thymus DNA (CTD, 58% AT content) and polynucleotides under adverse solution conditions (high temperature, ionic strength), CD bands at 275-290 nm shift to higher wavelengths indicating structural changes in DNA. It formed a strong complex with CTD and poly(dA-dT)·poly(dA-dT)