Download MendeleyThe H-NS dimerisation domain defines a new fold contributing to DNA recognition
Bloch, V., Yang, Y., Margeat, E., Chavanieu, A., Auge, M.T., Robert, B., Arold, S., Rimsky, S., Kochoyan, M.(2003) Nat Struct Biol 10: 3
- PubMed: 12592399
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nsb904
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
1NI8 - PubMed Abstract:
H-NS, a protein found in Gram-negative bacteria, is involved in structuring the bacterial chromosome and acts as a global regulator for the expression of a wide variety of genes. These functions are correlated with both its DNA-binding and oligomerization properties. We have identified the minimal dimerization domain of H-NS, a 46 amino acid-long N-terminal fragment, and determined its structure using heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The highly intertwined structure of the dimer, reminiscent of a handshake, defines a new structural fold, which may offer a possibility for discriminating prokaryotic from eukaryotic proteins in drug design. Using mutational analysis, we also show that this N-terminal domain actively contributes to DNA binding, conversely to the current paradigm. Together, our data allows us to propose a model for the action of full length H-NS.
Organizational Affiliation:
Centre de Biochimie Structurale, CNRS-UMR 5048, INSERM-U554, Université de Montpellier I, 29 rue de Navacelles, 34090 Montpellier, France.
