The prokaryotic zinc-finger: structure, function and comparison with the eukaryotic counterpart
Gaetano Malgieri1, Maddalena Palmieri1, Luigi Russo1
1Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, II University of Naples, Caserta, Italy.
The FEBS Journal
|September 15, 2015
Summary
Prokaryotic zinc finger (ZF) domains, like in Agrobacterium tumefaciens Ros protein, differ structurally and functionally from eukaryotic ZFs. This review explores these unique prokaryotic ZF features and their structure-function relationships.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Classical zinc finger (ZF) domains were historically considered exclusive to eukaryotes.
- The discovery of the Ros protein in Agrobacterium tumefaciens revealed prokaryotic ZF domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss prokaryotic zinc finger (ZF) domains.
- To compare prokaryotic ZFs with their eukaryotic counterparts, highlighting differences and analogies.
- To provide insights into the structure/function relationships of prokaryotic ZFs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on prokaryotic zinc finger (ZF) proteins.
- Structural analysis of the Ros Cys2 His2 ZF domain.
- Comparative analysis of prokaryotic and eukaryotic ZF domains.
Main Results:
- Prokaryotic Ros Cys2 His2 ZF domains are larger than eukaryotic ZFs, comprising 58 amino acids (residues 9-66).
- These domains exhibit a unique βββαα topology and are stabilized by a 15-residue hydrophobic core.
- Prokaryotic ZFs display distinct DNA binding modes and structural features compared to eukaryotes.
Conclusions:
- Prokaryotic zinc finger (ZF) domains possess unique structural and functional characteristics.
- Understanding these prokaryotic ZFs expands the known diversity of ZF proteins.
- Further research into prokaryotic ZFs can illuminate novel structure-function relationships.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Nucleoid
1.8K
The nucleoid represents a structurally and functionally distinct region within prokaryotic cells, where the cell's DNA and associated proteins are housed. Unlike eukaryotic cells, prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus, and the nucleoid facilitates the organization and accessibility of the genetic material within this constraint. The DNA in most bacteria and archaea exists as a single, circular, double-stranded molecule that is highly compacted through supercoiling and interactions with...
1.8K
01:28Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells
7.8K
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells represent two fundamental types of cellular organization, differing significantly in structure, complexity, and function. These distinctions underpin the biological diversity seen across domains of life.Prokaryotic Cell CharacteristicsProkaryotic cells, exemplified by bacteria and archaea, are structurally simple and lack membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus. Their genetic material consists of a single, circular DNA molecule in the nucleoid region,...
7.8K
02:42Eukaryotic Transcription Activators
13.3K
Transcription activators are proteins that promote the transcription of genes from DNA to RNA. In most cases, these proteins contain two separate domains ‒ a domain that binds to DNA and a domain for activating transcription; however, in some cases, a single domain is responsible for both binding and activation of transcription, as seen in the glucocorticoid receptor and MyoD.
The binding domains are capable of recognizing and interacting with regulatory sequences on the DNA. These...
The binding domains are capable of recognizing and interacting with regulatory sequences on the DNA. These...
13.3K
02:40The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
19.6K
The eukaryotic promoter region is a segment of DNA located upstream of a gene. It contains an RNA polymerase binding site, a transcription start site, and several cis-regulatory sequences. The proximal promoter region is located in the vicinity of the gene and has cis-regulatory sequences and the core promoter. The core promoter is the binding site for RNA polymerase and is usually located between -35 and +35 nucleotides from the transcription start site. The distal promoter regions are...
19.6K
02:40The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
4.3K
4.3K
01:28Prokaryotic Gene Structure and Organization
2.8K
Prokaryotic genomes exhibit a streamlined organization of coding and non-coding regions essential for gene expression and protein synthesis. While coding regions contain the genetic instructions for proteins or functional RNAs, non-coding regions regulate the precise transcription and translation of these genes.Coding Regions: Proteins and RNAsThe primary coding regions, known as structural genes, include sequences transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and ultimately translated into...
2.8K