DNA footprinting

A technique in which a DNA molecule is ‘incubated’ with a protein that binds to a specific site along the double helix; the DNA-binding protein complex is then subjected to restriction endonuclease digestion, which reduces the entire DNA to mono- and oligonucleotide fragments, except for the portion of the DNA molecule that was ‘protected’ from digestion by the binding protein; removal of the protein by simple chemical means—e.g., by gel electrophoresis—allows the study of DNA and binding protein interaction

DNA footprinting

see FOOTPRINTING.