Patent ID: 8008053
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: C07K

Abstract:
1. A method of altering the conformation of a polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide is a sugar-binding protein or a kinase, the method comprising: (a) covalently attaching a first end of a synthetic single stranded polynucleotide to a first portion of the polypeptide; (b) covalently attaching a second end of the single stranded polynucleotide to a second portion of the polypeptide; and (c) exerting a force of about 1 to about 10 pN on the polypeptide by hybridizing the single stranded polynucleotide to a complementary polynucleotide to alter the mechanical tension on the polypeptide, wherein the alteration of mechanical tension on the polypeptide effects an alteration of (i) the binding affinity for a kinase substrate, (ii) the binding affinity for a sugar, or (iii) the catalytic rate of the kinase, thereby altering the conformation of the polypeptide.