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ABSTRACT: The recognition of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) is an important aspect of gene regulation, and a number of different classes of protein domains that recognize ssRNA in a sequence-specific manner have been identified. Recently, we demonstrated that the RanBP2-type zinc finger (ZnF) domains from the human splicing factor ZnF Ran binding domain-containing protein 2 (ZRANB2) can bind to a sequence containing the consensus AGGUAA. Six other human proteins, namely, Ewing's sarcoma (EWS), translocated in liposarcoma (TLS)/FUS, RNA-binding protein 56 (RBP56), RNA-binding motif 5 (RBM5), RNA-binding motif 10 (RBM10) and testis-expressed sequence 13A (TEX13A), each contains a single ZnF with homology to the ZRANB2 ZnFs, and several of these proteins have been implicated in the regulation of mRNA processing. Here, we show that all of these ZnFs are able to bind with micromolar affinities to ssRNA containing a GGU motif. NMR titration data reveal that binding is mediated by the corresponding surfaces on each ZnF, and we also show that sequence selectivity is largely limited to the GGU core motif and that substitution of the three flanking adenines that were selected in our original selection experiment has a minimal effect on binding affinity. These data establish a subset of RanBP2-type ZnFs as a new family of ssRNA-binding motifs.
Journal of Molecular Biology 01/2011; 407(2):273-83. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The alternative splicing of mRNA is a critical process in higher eukaryotes that generates substantial proteomic diversity. Many of the proteins that are essential to this process contain arginine/serine-rich (RS) domains. ZRANB2 is a widely-expressed and highly-conserved RS-domain protein that can regulate alternative splicing but lacks canonical RNA-binding domains. Instead, it contains 2 RanBP2-type zinc finger (ZnF) domains. We demonstrate that these ZnFs recognize ssRNA with high affinity and specificity. Each ZnF binds to a single AGGUAA motif and the 2 domains combine to recognize AGGUAA(N(x))AGGUAA double sites, suggesting that ZRANB2 regulates alternative splicing via a direct interaction with pre-mRNA at sites that resemble the consensus 5' splice site. We show using X-ray crystallography that recognition of an AGGUAA motif by a single ZnF is dominated by side-chain hydrogen bonds to the bases and formation of a guanine-tryptophan-guanine "ladder." A number of other human proteins that function in RNA processing also contain RanBP2 ZnFs in which the RNA-binding residues of ZRANB2 are conserved. The ZnFs of ZRANB2 therefore define another class of RNA-binding domain, advancing our understanding of RNA recognition and emphasizing the versatility of ZnF domains in molecular recognition.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 05/2009; 106(14):5581-6. · 9.68 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: ZRANB2 is a zinc-finger protein that has been shown to influence alternative splice-site selection. The protein comprises a C-terminal arginine/serine-rich domain that interacts with spliceosomal proteins and two N-terminal RanBP2-type zinc fingers that have been implicated in RNA recognition. The second zinc finger bound to a six-nucleotide single-stranded RNA target sequence crystallized in the hexagonal space group P6(5)22 or P6(1)22, with unit-cell parameters a = 54.52, b = 54.52, c = 48.07 A; the crystal contains one monomeric complex per asymmetric unit. This crystal form has a solvent content of 39% and diffracted to 1.4 A resolution using synchrotron radiation.
Acta Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications 01/2009; 64(Pt 12):1175-7. · 0.51 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The design of metal-binding functionality in proteins is expanding into many different areas with a wide range of practical and research applications. Here we review several developing areas of metal-related protein design, including the use of metals to induce protein-protein interactions or facilitate the assembly of extended nanostructures; the design of metallopeptides that bind metal and other inorganic surfaces, an area with potential in diverse applications ranging from nanoelectronics and photonics to biotechnology and biomedicine; and, the creation of sensitive and selective metal sensors for use both in vivo and in vitro.
Current Opinion in Structural Biology 07/2008; 18(4):484-90. · 9.42 Impact Factor
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Ching-I A Wang,
Gregor Guncar,
Jade K Forwood,
Trazel Teh,
Ann-Maree Catanzariti,
Gregory J Lawrence, Fionna E Loughlin,
Joel P Mackay,
Horst Joachim Schirra,
Peter A Anderson,
Jeffrey G Ellis,
Peter N Dodds,
Bostjan Kobe
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ABSTRACT: The gene-for-gene mechanism of plant disease resistance involves direct or indirect recognition of pathogen avirulence (Avr) proteins by plant resistance (R) proteins. Flax rust (Melampsora lini) AvrL567 avirulence proteins and the corresponding flax (Linum usitatissimum) L5, L6, and L7 resistance proteins interact directly. We determined the three-dimensional structures of two members of the AvrL567 family, AvrL567-A and AvrL567-D, at 1.4- and 2.3-A resolution, respectively. The structures of both proteins are very similar and reveal a beta-sandwich fold with no close known structural homologs. The polymorphic residues in the AvrL567 family map to the surface of the protein, and polymorphisms in residues associated with recognition differences for the R proteins lead to significant changes in surface chemical properties. Analysis of single amino acid substitutions in AvrL567 proteins confirm the role of individual residues in conferring differences in recognition and suggest that the specificity results from the cumulative effects of multiple amino acid contacts. The structures also provide insights into possible pathogen-associated functions of AvrL567 proteins, with nucleic acid binding activity demonstrated in vitro. Our studies provide some of the first structural information on avirulence proteins that bind directly to the corresponding resistance proteins, allowing an examination of the molecular basis of the interaction with the resistance proteins as a step toward designing new resistance specificities.
The Plant Cell 10/2007; 19(9):2898-912. · 8.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Zinc-fingers (ZnFs) are extremely abundant in higher eukaryotes. Once considered to function exclusively as sequence-specific DNA-binding motifs, ZnFs are now known to have additional activities such as the recognition of RNA and other proteins. Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of ZnFs as specific modules for protein recognition. Structural studies of ZnF complexes reveal considerable diversity in terms of protein partners, binding modes and affinities, and highlight the often underestimated versatility of ZnF structure and function. An appreciation of the structural features of ZnF-protein interactions will contribute to our ability to engineer and to use ZnFs with tailored protein-binding properties.
Trends in Biochemical Sciences 03/2007; 32(2):63-70. · 10.85 Impact Factor
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International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Life 12/2006; 58(12):731-3. · 3.51 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Homeodomain-only protein (HOP) is an 8-kDa transcriptional corepressor that is essential for the normal development of the mammalian heart. Previous studies have shown that HOP, which consists entirely of a putative homeodomain, acts downstream of Nkx2.5 and associates with the serum response factor (SRF), repressing transcription from SRF-responsive genes. HOP is also able to recruit histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, consistent with its ability to repress transcription. Unlike other classic homeodomain proteins, HOP does not appear to interact with DNA, although it has been unclear if this is because of an overall divergent structure or because of specific amino acid differences between HOP and other homeodomains. To work toward an understanding of HOP function, we have determined the 3D structure of full-length HOP and used a range of biochemical assays to define the parts of the protein that are functionally important for its repression activity. We show that HOP forms a classical homeodomain fold but that it cannot recognize double stranded DNA, a result that emphasizes the importance of caution in predicting protein function from sequence homology alone. We also demonstrate that two distinct regions on the surface of HOP are required for its ability to repress an SRF-driven reporter gene, and it is likely that these motifs direct interactions between HOP and partner proteins such as SRF- and HDAC-containing complexes. Our results demonstrate that the homeodomain fold has been co-opted during evolution for functions other than sequence-specific DNA binding and suggest that HOP functions as an adaptor protein to mediate transcriptional repression.
Biochemistry 10/2006; 45(35):10584-90. · 3.42 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: GATA-1 and friend of GATA (FOG) are zinc-finger transcription factors that physically interact to play essential roles in erythroid and megakaryocytic development. Several naturally occurring mutations in the GATA-1 gene that alter the FOG-binding domain have been reported. The mutations are associated with familial anemias and thrombocytopenias of differing severity. To elucidate the molecular basis for the GATA-1/FOG interaction, we have determined the three-dimensional structure of a complex comprising the interaction domains of these proteins. The structure reveals how zinc fingers can act as protein recognition motifs. Details of the architecture of the contact domains and their physical properties provide a molecular explanation for how the GATA-1 mutations contribute to distinct but related genetic diseases.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 02/2005; 102(3):583-8. · 9.68 Impact Factor
