Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40790032›Full record

ArticleNature communications2025

DNA polymerase actively and sequentially displaces single-stranded DNA-binding proteins.

Longfu Xu, Shikai Jin, Mia Urem, Seung-Joo Lee, Meindert H Lamers, Xun Chen, Peter G Wolynes, Gijs J L Wuite

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Longfu Xu *Department of Physics and Astronomy, and LaserLaB Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0074-3106
Shikai Jin *Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9525-4166
Mia UremLeiden University Center of Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8259-3991
Seung-Joo LeeDepartment of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Meindert H LamersDepartment of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4205-1338
Xun ChenDepartment of Medicinal Chemistry, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, China.
Peter G WolynesCenter for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX, USA. pw8@rice.edu.
Gijs J L WuiteDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, and LaserLaB Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. g.j.l.wuite@vu.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5706-043X

Funding

China Scholarship Council (CSC) 201704910912EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council) 883240National Science Foundation (NSF) PHY-2019745
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) protect transiently exposed ssDNA, yet how DNA polymerase (DNAp) displaces them during replication remains unclear. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, dual-color imaging, and molecular dynamics simulations on bacteriophage T7 DNAp and SSB, we investigated molecular mechanisms underlying SSB displacement. T7 SSB modulates replication in a force-dependent manner: enhancing it at low tension by preventing secondary structures while impeding it at high tension. Dual-color imaging shows SSBs remain stationary as DNAp advances, supporting a sequential displacement model. Molecular dynamics suggests that DNAp actively lowers the SSB dissociation energy barrier through interactions mediated by the SSB C-terminal tail. FRET confirms close protein proximity during encounters. Optimal replication requires SSB saturation of ssDNA, establishing a delicate balance between protection and efficiency. This spatiotemporal coordination between DNAp and SSB is critical for resolving molecular collisions and may represent a general mechanism for resolving molecular collisions, ensuring both processivity and genomic integrity.

Indexed as

Bacteriophage T7DNA-Binding ProteinsDNA-Directed DNA PolymeraseDNA, Single-StrandedViral ProteinsDNA ReplicationEscherichia coliFluorescence Resonance Energy TransferMolecular Dynamics SimulationProtein BindingSingle Molecule ImagingDNA-Binding ProteinsDNA-Directed DNA PolymeraseDNA, Single-StrandedViral Proteins

Identifiers

PMID40790032
PMCPMC12339929

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.