Detailed kinetic analysis of the interaction between the FOXO4-DNA-binding domain and DNA

•Interaction between FOXO4 and DNA is described using a conformational change model.•FOXO4-DBD undergoes a conformational change upon binding to the DNA.•Segmental dynamics of FOXO4-DBD is reduced upon binding to the DNA.•Non-specific contacts are important for binding affinity and specificity of FOXO4.

The FOXO forkhead transcription factors are potent transcriptional activators involved in a wide range of key biological processes. In this work, the real-time kinetics of the interaction between the FOXO4-DNA binding domain (FOXO4-DBD) and the DNA was studied by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). SPR analysis revealed that the interaction between FOXO4-DBD and the double stranded DNA containing either the insulin-responsive or the Daf-16 family member-binding element is preferably described by using a conformational change model which suggests a structural change of FOXO4-DBD upon binding to the DNA. This was further confirmed by using the time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements which revealed profound reduction of segmental dynamics of FOXO4-DBD upon the complex formation. Alanine scanning of amino acid residues engaged in polar contacts with the DNA showed that certain non-specific contacts with the DNA backbone are very important for both the binding affinity and the binding specificity of FOXO4-DBD.

Graphical abstractDownload full-size image