Covalent binding of modified nucleic acids with proteins as a method of investigation of specific protein-nucleic acid interactions

Methods of specific covalent binding of modified nucleic acids with proteins and enzymes retaining the native structure are discussed. The use of synthetic nucleic acids containing photoactivated or reactive (nucleophilic and electrophilic) groups to test protein-nucleic acid contacts and to study the functioning of proteins is considered. The structures of protein-nucleic acid conjugates formed during enzymatic reactions are described. The methods for isolation and analysis of covalently bound protein-nucleic acid complexes are generalised. Primary attention is given to methods for identification of the protein site attached to the nucleic acid.