Solution structure of the PHD domain from the KAP-1 corepressor: structural determinants for PHD, RING and LIM zinc-binding domains.
Capili, A.D., Schultz, D.C., RauscherIII, F.J., Borden, K.L.(2001) EMBO J 20: 165-177
- PubMed: 11226167 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/emboj/20.1.165
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1FP0 - PubMed Abstract: 
Plant homeodomain (PHD) domains are found in >400 eukaryotic proteins, many of which are transcriptional regulators. Naturally occurring point mutations or deletions of this domain contribute to a variety of human diseases, including ATRX syndrome, myeloid leukemias and autoimmune dysfunction. Here we report the first structural characterization of a PHD domain. Our studies reveal that the PHD domain from KAP-1 corepressor binds zinc in a cross-brace topology between anti-parallel ss-strands reminiscent of RING (really interesting new gene) domains. Using a mutational analysis, we define the structural features required for transcriptional repression by KAP-1 and explain naturally occurring, disease-causing mutations in PHD domains of other proteins. From a comparison of this PHD structure with previously reported RING and LIM (Lin11/Isl-1/Mec-3) structures, we infer sequence determinants that allow discrimination among PHD, RING and LIM motifs.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Structural Biology Program, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10029, USA.