BACKGROUND: Zinc fingers of the Cys2-His2 class comprise one of the largest families of eukaryotic DNA-binding motifs and recognize a diverse set of DNA sequences. These proteins have a relatively simple modular structure and key base contacts are typically made by a few residues from each finger. These features make the zinc finger motif an attractive system for designing novel DNA-binding proteins and for exploring fundamental principles of protein-DNA recognition. RESULTS: Here we report the X-ray crystal structures of zinc finger-DNA complexes involving three variants of Zif268, with multiple changes in the recognition helix of finger one. We describe the structure of each of these three-finger peptides bound to its corresponding target site. To help elucidate the differential basis for site-specific recognition, the structures of four other complexes containing various combinations of these peptides with alternative binding sites have also been determined. CONCLUSIONS: The protein-DNA contacts observed in these complexes reveal the basis for the specificity demonstrated by these Zif268 variants. Many, but not all, of the contacts can be rationalized in terms of a recognition code, but the predictive value of such a code is limited. The structures illustrate how modest changes in the docking arrangement accommodate the new sidechain-base and sidechain-phosphate interactions. Such adaptations help explain the versatility of naturally occurring zinc finger proteins and their utility in design.
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==About this Structure==
==About this Structure==
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[[Category: Zinc finger]]
[[Category: Zinc finger]]
[[Category: Zinc finger-dna complex]]
[[Category: Zinc finger-dna complex]]
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Revision as of 15:47, 30 June 2008
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