Abstract
Even-skipped is a homeobox gene important in controlling segment patterning in the embryonic fruit fly. Its homeobox encodes a DNA binding domain which binds with similar affinities to two DNA consensus sequences, one AT-rich, the other GC-rich. We describe a crystallographic analysis of the Even-skipped homeodomain complexed to an AT-rich oligonucleotide at 2.0 Å resolution. The structure reveals a novel arrangement of two homeodomains bound to one 10 bp DNA sequence in a tandem fashion. This arrangement suggests a mechanism for the homeoproteins' regulatory specificity. In addition, the functionally important residue Gln50 is observed in multiple conformations making direct and water-mediated hydrogen bonds with the DNA bases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 6280-6291 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | EMBO Journal |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 24 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1995 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Crystal structure
- Even-skipped
- Homeodomain
- Protein-DNA interactions