Nany proteins responsible for interacting at specific sites on DNA find their genetic sequence targets by sliding along one of the grooves of the DNA double helix in a spiraling fashion, scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Harvard University, and the Indian Institute of Science have discovered.

“By being able to predict the DNA sliding rate of a protein, one could alter the size of a protein and thereby alter its sliding rate,” said Walter Mangel, a Brookhaven biophysicist. “For example, certain viral proteins need to slide along DNA in order to cause infection. A small protein could be designed to bind to the viral protein to slow down its sliding rate. This might be a useful means to block a virus infection.”