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DNA recognition by GAL4: structure of a protein-DNA complex

Abstract

A specific DNA complex of the 65-residue, N-terminal fragment of the yeast transcriptional activator, GAL4, has been analysed at 2.7 Å resolution by X-ray crystallography. The protein binds as a dimer to a symmetrical 17-base-pair sequence. A small, Zn2+-containing domain recognizes a conserved CCG triplet at each end of the site through direct contacts with the major groove. A short coiled-coil dimerization element imposes 2-fold symmetry. A segment of extended polypep-tide chain links the metal-binding module to the dimerization element and specifies the length of the site. The relatively open structure of the complex would allow another protein to bind coordinately with GAL4.

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Marmorstein, R., Carey, M., Ptashne, M. et al. DNA recognition by GAL4: structure of a protein-DNA complex. Nature 356, 408–414 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/356408a0

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