Recent work in the Bianco laboratory has revealed that the 20-member, SSB interactome is the first prokaryotic family of oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide binding fold (OB-fold) genome guardians to be identified. The interactome is regulated by the linker/OB-fold network of interactions. When SSB linker-binding to an OB-fold in an interactome partner occurs, proteins are loaded onto DNA with full activity being achieved once their OB-fold disengages from the linker and associates with the DNA. When linker/OB-fold interactions occur between SSB tetramers, rapid and cooperative ssDNA-binding results, producing a multi-tetramer complex that rapidly protects the ssDNA. Studies focus on further elucidating the mechanism of action of the linker OB-fold network of interactions in E.coli and other bacteria.
