Using a structural and logics systems approach to infer bHLH-DNA binding specificity determinants.

ABSTRACT: Numerous efforts are underway to determine gene regulatory networks that describe physical relationships between transcription factors (TFs) and their target DNA sequences. Members of paralogous TF families typically recognize similar DNA sequences. Knowledge of the molecular determinants of protein-DNA recognition by paralogous TFs is of central importance for understanding how small differences in DNA specificities can dictate target gene selection. Previously, we determined the in vitro DNA binding specificities of 19 Caenorhabditis elegans basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) dimers using protein binding microarrays. These TFs bind E-box (CANNTG) and E-box-like sequences. Here, we combine these data with logics, bHLH-DNA co-crystal structures and computational modeling to infer which bHLH mon

SUBMITTER: De Masi F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3113581 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature