Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) binds to double-stranded DNA and significantly lowers its melting temperature, from 69.5 degrees C to 28 degrees C, indicating a direct molecular interaction between the peptide and the DNA duplex. These findings point to a natural mechanism by which short regulatory peptides like Epitalon interact with DNA to influence biological function.
Khavinson, V Kh; Solovyov, A Yu; Shataeva, L K