Cognate DNA Recognition by Engrailed Homeodomain Involves a Conformational Change Controlled via an Electrostatic-Spring-Loaded Latch.

ABSTRACT: Transcription factors must scan genomic DNA, recognize the cognate sequence of their control element(s), and bind tightly to them. The DNA recognition process is primarily carried out by their DNA binding domains (DBD), which interact with the cognate site with high affinity and more weakly with any other DNA sequence. DBDs are generally thought to bind to their cognate DNA without changing conformation (lock-and-key). Here, we used nuclear magnetic resonance and circular dichroism to investigate the interplay between DNA recognition and DBD conformation in the engrailed homeodomain (enHD), as a model case for the homeodomain family of eukaryotic DBDs. We found that the conformational ensemble of enHD is rather flexible and becomes gradually more disordered as ionic strength decreases foll

SUBMITTER: D'Amelio N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8910618 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature