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Modulation of DNA-binding domains for sequence-specific DNA recognition.
Ronen Marmorstein1, Mary X Fitzgerald
1Department of Chemistry, The Wistar Institute, University of Pennsylvania, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. marmor@wistar.upenn.edu
Gene
|February 6, 2003
Summary
Extrinsic factors, like ligand binding and protein associations, act as molecular switches. These factors modulate DNA-binding domains, expanding the range of DNA sites proteins can recognize.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins are crucial for gene regulation.
- DNA recognition involves direct contacts by DNA-binding domains.
- Extrinsic factors can influence DNA recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review structural examples of how extrinsic factors modulate DNA-binding domain recognition.
- To illustrate the mechanisms by which extrinsic factors act as molecular switches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of structural studies.
- Analysis of diverse mechanisms modulating DNA recognition.
Main Results:
- Extrinsic factors include ligand binding and protein associations (homo- and hetero-dimeric).
- Association with other transcription factors also modulates DNA recognition.
- These factors act as molecular switches to facilitate DNA site recognition.
Conclusions:
- Extrinsic factors significantly extend the repertoire of DNA sites recognized by DNA-binding domains.
- Structural insights reveal diverse mechanisms for extrinsic factor modulation.