Specificity of minor-groove and major-groove interactions in a homeodomain-DNA complex

To assess the importance of minor-groove and major-groove interactions in homeodomain-DNA recognition, the binding properties of variants of the altered-specificity engrailed homeodomain, containing Lys50, and its DNA site TAATCC were determined. This homeodomain contacts bases in the minor groove of the DNA using Arg3 and Arg5 from its N-terminal arm and contacts bases in the major groove of the DNA using Ile47, Lys50, and Asn51 from its third alpha-helix. Mutation of Arg3 or Ile47 to alanine reduces binding affinity 10-20-fold while mutation of Arg5, Asn51, or Lys50 to alanine reduces binding affinity > 100-fold, indicating that both minor-groove and major-groove interactions contribute to the overall binding energy. Binding site selections and affinity measurements show that the homeodomain can also discriminate among different base pairs in the minor groove and the major groove. However, the interactions between Lys50 of the recognition helix and the major-groove edges of base pairs 5 and 6 are more specific than interactions mediated by Arg3 and Arg5 in the N-terminal arm and the minor-groove edges of base pairs 1 and 2.