title: Solution structure of the DNA-binding domain of MafG.
abstract: The Maf family proteins, which constitute a subgroup of basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins, function as transcriptional regulators of cellular differentiation. Together with the basic region, the Maf extended homology region (EHR), conserved only within the Maf family, defines the DNA binding specific to Mafs. Here we present the first NMR-derived structure of the DNA-binding domain (residues 1-76) of MafG, which contains the EHR and the basic region. The structure consists of three alpha-helices and resembles the fold of the DNA-binding domain of Skn-1, a developmental transcription factor of Caenorhabditis elegans. The structural similarity between MafG and Skn-1 enables us to propose a possible mechanism by which Maf family proteins recognize their consensus DNA sequences.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575 Japan.
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kusunoki
authors.forename: Hozumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Motohashi
authors.forename: Fumiki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Katsuoka
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morohashi
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D051259:MafG Transcription Factor; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012996:Solutions; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051259:MafG Transcription Factor; C491247:Mafg protein, mouse; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D012996:Solutions; D004247:DNA