Crystal structure of the [2Fe-2S] oxidative-stress sensor SoxR bound to DNA.

ABSTRACT: The [2Fe-2S] transcription factor SoxR, a member of the MerR family, functions as a bacterial sensor of oxidative stress such as superoxide and nitric oxide. SoxR is activated by reversible one-electron oxidation of the [2Fe-2S] cluster and then enhances the production of various antioxidant proteins through the soxRS regulon. In the active state, SoxR and other MerR family proteins activate transcription from unique promoters, which have a long 19- or 20-bp spacer between the -35 and -10 operator elements, by untwisting the promoter DNA. Here, we show the crystal structures of SoxR and its complex with the target promoter in the oxidized (active) state. The structures reveal that the [2Fe-2S] cluster of SoxR is completely solvent-exposed and surrounded by an asymmetric environment stabili

SUBMITTER: Watanabe S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2393793 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature