Crystal structure of the met repressor-operator complex at 2.8 angstrom resolution reveals DNA recognition by beta -strands

The crystal structure of the met repressor-operator complex shows two dimeric repressor molecules bound to adjacent sites 8 base pairs apart on an 18-base-pair DNA fragment. Sequence specificity is achieved by insertion of double-stranded antiparallel protein beta -ribbons into the major groove of B...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1992-10, Vol.359 (6394), p.387-393
Main Authors: Somers, W S, Phillips, SEV
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The crystal structure of the met repressor-operator complex shows two dimeric repressor molecules bound to adjacent sites 8 base pairs apart on an 18-base-pair DNA fragment. Sequence specificity is achieved by insertion of double-stranded antiparallel protein beta -ribbons into the major groove of B-form DNA, with direct hydrogen-bonding between amino-acid side chains and the base pairs. The repressor also recognizes sequence-dependent distortion or flexibility of the operator phosphate backbone, conferring specificity even for inaccessible base pairs.
ISSN:0028-0836
DOI:10.1038/359387a0