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Structural Basis for the Recognition of Non-methylated DNA by the CXXC Domain

Ke Liu1, Jinrong Min2

  • 1Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, PR China.

Journal of Molecular Biology
|October 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Human CXXC domain-containing proteins regulate transcription and epigenetic modifications. This review details their structures, biology, and biochemical roles in processes like DNA repair and tumorigenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Protein Structure

Background:

  • CXXC domain-containing proteins regulate critical cellular functions including transcription, cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA repair, and tumorigenesis.
  • Twelve such proteins exist in humans, featuring a conserved CXXC domain (50-70 residues) with two CXXCXXC motifs.
  • This domain facilitates binding to non-methylated DNA across various sequence contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review human CXXC domain-containing proteins.
  • To summarize their structures, biological functions, and biochemical properties.
  • To discuss their role in mediating cross-talk between epigenetic modifications.

Main Methods:

  • Structural analysis of CXXC domains.
  • DNA-binding studies.
  • Biochemical characterization of CXXC domain-containing proteins and their complexes.
  • Review of existing literature on human CXXC domain-containing proteins.

Main Results:

  • The CXXC domain is crucial for DNA binding and protein complex formation.
  • These proteins are key regulators of transcription and chromatin modification.
  • CXXC domain proteins mediate interactions among diverse epigenetic modifications.

Conclusions:

  • Human CXXC domain-containing proteins are vital regulators of gene expression and epigenetic processes.
  • Understanding their structure-function relationship is key to deciphering their roles in health and disease.
  • These proteins offer potential targets for therapeutic interventions in epigenetic-related disorders.
Keywords:
CXXC domainCXXC domain-containing proteinCross-talkDNA bindingEpigenetic modifications

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