Signatures of protein-DNA recognition in free DNA binding sites.
Published
Journal Article
One obstacle to achieving complete understanding of the principles underlying sequence-dependent recognition of DNA is the paucity of structural data for DNA recognition sequences in their free (unbound) state. Here, we carried out crystallization screening of 50 DNA duplexes containing cognate protein binding sites and obtained new crystal structures of free DNA binding sites for three distinct modes of DNA recognition: anti-parallel beta strands (MetR), helix-turn-helix motif + hinge helices (PurR), and zinc fingers (Zif268). Structural changes between free and protein-bound DNA are manifested differently in each case. The new DNA structures reveal that distinctive sequence-dependent DNA geometry dominates recognition by MetR, protein-induced bending of DNA dictates recognition by PurR, and deformability of DNA along the A-B continuum is important in recognition by Zif268. Together, our findings show that crystal structures of free DNA binding sites provide new information about the nature of protein-DNA interactions and thus lend insights towards a structural code for DNA recognition.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Locasale, JW; Napoli, AA; Chen, S; Berman, HM; Lawson, CL
Published Date
- March 6, 2009
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 386 / 4
Start / End Page
- 1054 - 1065
PubMed ID
- 19244617
Pubmed Central ID
- 19244617
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1089-8638
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.01.007
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England