{
  "abstract": "Single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) coats single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and recruits downstream factors, yet this same coating must be cleared for SSB-interacting proteins to bind. RecA is a central protein in homologous recombination, which requires SSB-free ssDNA to load during the process. RecO, a recombination mediator protein, is thought to regulate this handoff, but it has not been shown directly that RecO drives the release of full-length, ssDNA-bound SSB. Using atomic force microscopy, we show that RecO actively displaces full-length wild-type SSB from a defined ssDNA substrate, reducing occupancy from 67% to 29%. Displacement efficiency decreases after deleting the C-terminal tip of SSB (ΔC8) or after adding a single alanine at the C-terminus of SSB (A179). Molecular dynamics simulations show that A179 retains its native RecO contact but additionally engages a non-native surface, producing a specific, over-engaged complex, suggesting that these interprotein interactions may affect SSB-ssDNA contacts. Together, these findings suggest that RecO-driven SSB clearance is governed by the protein–protein interface rather than by ssDNA-binding affinity alone, thereby acting as a checkpoint against indiscriminate SSB removal during genome maintenance.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Shivkumar Sharma Irukuvajjula",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-3901-6213"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Shaun Filliaux",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-0462-5203"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuri L. Lyubchenko",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9721-8302"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/311qqav0hj8kn.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/ijms27198858",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "311qqav0hj8kn",
  "issns": [
    "1422-0067"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/19/8858",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|DNA Repair Mechanisms"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7202207980",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-04",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/311qqav0hj8kn.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:55Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/ijms27198858",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/19/8858"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|DNA Repair Mechanisms",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Nanoscale Analysis of SSB–RecO Interplay in SSB Interaction with the Target",
  "title_text": "Nanoscale Analysis of SSB–RecO Interplay in SSB Interaction with the Target",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:55Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/311qqav0hj8kn",
  "venue": "International Journal of Molecular Sciences",
  "versions": []
}