The structure of corepressor Dax-1 bound to its target nuclear receptor LRH-1.

ABSTRACT: The Dax-1 protein is an enigmatic nuclear receptor that lacks an expected DNA binding domain, yet functions as a potent corepressor of nuclear receptors. Here we report the structure of Dax-1 bound to one of its targets, liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1). Unexpectedly, Dax-1 binds to LRH-1 using a new module, a repressor helix built from a family conserved sequence motif, PCFXXLP. Mutations in this repressor helix that are linked with human endocrine disorders dissociate the complex and attenuate Dax-1 function. The structure of the Dax-1:LRH-1 complex provides the molecular mechanism for the function of Dax-1 as a potent transcriptional repressor.

SUBMITTER: Sablin EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2587556 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature