Michael Gregory Fried, PhD

Protein-DNA and Protein-Protein Interactions

The assembly of macromolecular complexes is an essential step in many cellular processes. We are interested in the mechanisms that govern the assembly rates and the equilibrium stabilities of such complexes. We are currently exploring these issues for selected protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions.



1. Assembly of protein-DNA complexes. 

Protein-DNA complexes play central roles in many of the transactions in which DNA is involved, including transcription, DNA replication, and chromosome structure. Our current work is focused on the DNA-repair protein O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT). In humans this protein protects the integrity of the genome, but also contributes to the resistance of tumors to DNA-alkylating chemotherapeutic agents.