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Structure of the even‐skipped homeodomain complexed to AT‐rich DNA: new perspectives on homeodomain specificity.
Author(s) -
Hirsch J. A.,
Aggarwal A. K.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1995.tb00318.x
Subject(s) - homeobox , biology , library science , gene , genetics , computer science , transcription factor
even‐skipped is a homeobox gene important in controlling segment patterning in the embryonic fruit fly. Its homeobox encodes a DNA binding domain which binds with similar affinities to two DNA consensus sequences, one AT‐rich, the other GC‐rich. We describe a crystallographic analysis of the Even‐skipped homeodomain complexed to an AT‐rich oligonucleotide at 2.0 A resolution. The structure reveals a novel arrangement of two homeodomains bound to one 10 bp DNA sequence in a tandem fashion. This arrangement suggests a mechanism for the homeoproteins' regulatory specificity. In addition, the functionally important residue Gln50 is observed in multiple conformations making direct and water‐mediated hydrogen bonds with the DNA bases.