The DNA binding mechanism of a SSB protein from Lactococcus lactis siphophage p2

► A single stranded DNA binding protein form lactococcal phage p2 is here investigated. ► The work is focused on its binding mechanism to DNA. ► Molecular Dynamics and Docking showed R15 as the key residue for its binding to DNA. ► On this basis an R15A SSBp2 mutant has been produced. ► EMSA and AFM confirmed Arg15's crucial role in the binding mechanism of DNA to SSBp2.