A Possible overestimation of the effect of acetylation on lysin residues in KQ mutant analysis

Fujimoto, Hirofumi*; Higuchi, Mariko; Koike, Manabu*; Ode, Hirotaka*; Pinak, M.; Kotulic Bunta, J.*; Nemoto, Toshiyuki*; Sakudo, Takashi*; Honda, Naoko*; Maekawa, Hideaki*; Saito, Kimiaki  ; Tsuchida, Kozo*

Lysine acetylation is one of the most common protein post transcriptional modifications. The acetylation effects of lysine residues on Ku protein were examined herein applying several computer simulation techniques. Acetylation of the lysine residues did not reduce the affinity between Ku and its substrate, DNA, in spite of the fact that the substitution of lysine with glutamine (KQ mutant) reduced the affinity of Ku for DNA, or the substitution of lysine with arginine (KR mutant) did not reduce it, as previously reported in experimental studies. These results suggest that the effects of in vivo acetylation may be overestimated when the KQ mutant is employed in mimicry of the acetylated protein.