Sandbox Reserved 1053: Difference between revisions

== Structural Overview ==

CzrA functions as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimer_(chemistry) dimer]. The <scene name='69/694218/Monomeric_unit/1'>monomeric units</scene> dimerize at the czr operon, repressing gene transcription. Each monomeric unit contains <scene name='69/694218/Helices/1'>five alpha helices</scene> seen in purple and <scene name='69/694218/B_sheets/1'>two beta sheets</scene> displayed in yellow. While the function of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_sheet beta sheets] are not yet known, key [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_helix helices] regulate the binding of DNA and Zn⁺². The <scene name='69/694218/Alpha_4_helix/1'>alpha 4 helix</scene> is the location of DNA binding and the <scene name='69/694218/Alpha_5_helix/1'>alpha 5 helix</scene> contains the Zn⁺² binding site. As Zn⁺² binds, the alpha 4 helices are <scene name='69/694218/Alpha_4_helices_pushed/1'>pushed out of alignment</scene>, repressing their DNA binding ability.

== Binding of DNA ==

   

Zinc⁺² binding is driven by a large [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropy entropic] gain <ref>DOI:10.1021/ja906131b</ref>. Water molecules around the metal ion and CzrA protein are displaced, and gain greater freedom. This gain in entropy allows Zn⁺² to bind to CzrA with reasonable affinity and speed in vivo. The zinc⁺² ion forms a tetrahedral complex with the four residues (Figure 1). This allows other metal ions to act as allosteric inhibitors to CzrA. Any metal that may form a tetrahedral complex will have some affinity for CzrA, assuming it is not too large to fit into the pocket. However, the metal binding pocket of CzrA has been optimized  to bind Zn⁺² with the highest affinity. As CzrA is a transcriptional repressor, binding of Zn⁺² to the dimer will activate the czr operon. Zn⁺² is preferred as CzrB opens a Zn⁺² channel, allowing the excess zinc ions to export the cell.  

== References ==

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