The crystal structure of the hinge domain of the Escherichia coli structural maintenance of chromosomes protein MukB.
Li, Y., Schoeffler, A.J., Berger, J.M., Oakley, M.G.(2010) J Mol Biol 395: 11-19
- PubMed: 19853611 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2009.10.040
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
3IBP - PubMed Abstract: 
MukB, a divergent structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein, is important for chromosomal segregation and condensation in gamma-proteobacteria. MukB and canonical SMC proteins share a characteristic five-domain structure. Globular N- and C-terminal domains interact to form an ATP-binding cassette-like ATPase or "head" domain, which is connected to a smaller dimerization or "hinge" domain by a long, antiparallel coiled coil. In addition to mediating dimerization, this hinge region has been implicated in both conformational flexibility and dynamic protein-DNA interactions. We report here the first crystallographic model of the MukB hinge domain. This model also contains approximately 20% of the coiled-coil domain, including an unusual coiled-coil deviation. These results will facilitate studies to clarify the roles of both the hinge and the coiled-coil domains in MukB function.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.