nucleic acid binding

Nucleic acid binding refers to the process where proteins interact specifically with DNA or RNA molecules. These proteins recognize and attach to particular sequences or structures within the nucleic acids, enabling essential biological functions such as gene regulation, replication, and repair. This interaction involves molecular recognition, often through hydrogen bonds and other weak forces, allowing proteins to selectively bind to target sequences. Understanding nucleic acid binding is key to studying how genetic information is controlled and maintained within living organisms.