Identification of a damaged-DNA binding domain of the XPA protein

The XPA (xeroderma pigmentosum group A) protein is a zinc metalloprotein consisting of 273 amino acids which binds preferentially to UV- or chemical carcinogen-damaged DNA, suggesting that it is involved in the recognition of several types of DNA damage during nucleotide excision repair processes. Here we identify a DNA binding domain of the XPA protein. The region of the XPA protein responsible for preferential binding to DNA damaged by UV or cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) is contained within a truncated derivative of the XPA protein, MF122, consisting of 122 amino acids and containing a C4 type zinc finger motif. CD (circular dichroism) measurements of the MF122 protein showed that it has a helix-rich secondary structure, suggesting that it is a discretely folded, functional mini-domain. The MF122 protein should be useful for structural investigation of the XPA protein and of its interaction with damaged DNA.