A tale of toroids in DNA metabolism.
A strikingly large number of the proteins involved in DNA metabolism adopt a toroidal -- or ring-shaped -- quaternary structure, even though they have completely unrelated functions. Given that these proteins all use DNA as a substrate, their convergence to one shape is probably not a coincidence. Ring-forming proteins may have been selected during evolution for advantages conferred by the toroidal shape on their interactions with DNA.
Hingorani
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The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA. manju@mod.rockefeller.edu
O'Donnell
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D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D004247:DNA; D004265:DNA Helicases; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I