title: 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 A resolution by X-ray crystallography. The protein binds as a dimer to a symmetrical 17-base-pair sequence. A small, Zn(2+)-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 polypeptide 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.
authors.affiliation: Harvard University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marmorstein
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ptashne
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D003196:Computer Graphics; D004247:DNA / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C052130:GAL4 protein, S cerevisiae; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA