Structural basis of X chromosome DNA recognition by the MSL2 CXC domain during Drosophila dosage compensation.

ABSTRACT: The male-specific lethal dosage compensation complex (MSL-DCC) selectively assembles on the X chromosome in Drosophila males and activates gene transcription by twofold through histone acetylation. An MSL recognition element (MRE) sequence motif nucleates the initial MSL association, but how it is recognized remains unknown. Here, we identified the CXC domain of MSL2 specifically recognizing the MRE motif and determined its crystal structure bound to specific and nonspecific DNAs. The CXC domain primarily contacts one strand of DNA duplex and employs a single arginine to directly read out dinucleotide sequences from the minor groove. The arginine is flexible when bound to nonspecific sequences. The core region of the MRE motif harbors two binding sites on opposite strands that can cooperat

SUBMITTER: Zheng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4248295 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature