HMF, A HISTONE-RELATED PROTEIN FROM THE HYPERTHERMOPHILIC ARCHAEON METHANOTHERMUS-FERVIDUS, BINDS PREFERENTIALLY TO DNA CONTAINING PHASED TRACTS OF ADENINES

HMf, a histone-related protein from Methanothermus fervidus, was found to bind preferentially to a DNA that is intrinsically bent as a result of the presence of phased oligo(dA) tracts. The intergenic regions in M. fervidus DNA are A+T rich and frequently contain oligo(dA) tracts, some of which may have the size and phasing required to create a net bending in one direction. The binding of HMf to bent DNA could play a direct role in gene expression and stabilization of the genome of this organism.