title: Snf2 family ATPases and DExx box helicases: differences and unifying concepts from high-resolution crystal structures.
abstract: Proteins with sequence similarity to the yeast Snf2 protein form a large family of ATPases that act to alter the structure of a diverse range of DNA-protein structures including chromatin. Snf2 family enzymes are related in sequence to DExx box helicases, yet they do not possess helicase activity. Recent biochemical and structural studies suggest that the mechanism by which these enzymes act involves ATP-dependent translocation on DNA. Crystal structures suggest that these enzymes travel along the minor groove, a process that can generate the torque or energy in remodelling processes. We review the recent structural and biochemical findings which suggest a common mechanistic basis underlies the action of many of both Snf2 family and DExx box helicases.
authors.affiliation: Gene Center, University of Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dürr
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flaus
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Owen-Hughes
authors.forename: Karl-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Hopfner
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000737:chemistry*; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000737:chemistry*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C499333:SNF2 protein, S cerevisiae; D004265:DNA Helicases