一种特异识别SV40启动子的人工转录因子的构建

转录因子是真核表达调控中非常重要的一类反式作用因子,通常由DNA结合域与效应域两部分组成,而锌指结构是DNA结合域的常见组成单元。人工转录因子就是基于转录因子的这种结构特点,人为地选择针对特定序列的DNA结合域与具有特定作用的效应域组合而成。利用噬菌体展示技术,筛选到与SV40启动子上9bp序列特异结合的锌指结构,再连接KOX1的KRAB域构建了一种人工转录因子。转染实验表明它对SV40下游的报告基因的表达有很显著的抑制作用。     

非生物逆境胁迫相关NAC转录因子的生物信息学分析

通过生物信息学手段,对22种NAC蛋白(14种非生物逆境胁迫相关NAC蛋白、8种涉及不同生物学功能的NAC蛋白)进行氨基酸序列比对和系统发生树构建,对14种非生物逆境胁迫相关NAC蛋白氨基酸组成、理化性质、亲/疏水性、保守结构域、亚细胞定位、二级结构及三级结构等进行了分析、预测。结果显示,22个NAC蛋白中,非生物逆境相关的NAC蛋白聚成一类,其余NAC蛋白聚为另一类;非生物逆境胁迫相关的NAC蛋白序列分析显示,N-端具有A、B、C、D、E 5个保守的亚结构域,共同组成NAC结构域,C-端含有多个保守的酸性氨基酸位点,具有转录激活功能,同时蛋白中含有多个丝氨酸(S)、苏氨酸(T)和酪氨酸(Y)磷酸化位点;非生物逆境胁迫相关NAC蛋白主要亲水区域位于A、C、D亚域,大多定位于细胞核,个别定位于细胞质或线粒体,二级结构则以α-螺旋和β-折叠片为主;拟南芥RD26和ANAC三级结构上的一致性暗示了功能上的相似。     

The three-dimensional structure of the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of human Ku70.

The proteins Ku70 (69.8 kDa) and Ku80 (82.7 kDa) form a heterodimeric complex that is an essential component of the nonhomologous end joining DNA double-strand break repair pathway in mammalian cells. Interaction of Ku with DNA is central for the functions of Ku. Ku70, which is mainly responsible for the DNA binding activity of the Ku heterodimer, contains two DNA-binding domains. We have solved the solution structure of the Ku80-independent DNA-binding domain of Ku70 encompassing residues 536-609 using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Residues 536-560 are highly flexible and have a random structure but form specific interactions with DNA. Residues 561-609 of Ku70 form a well defined structure with 3 alpha-helices and also interact with DNA. The three-dimensional structure indicates that all conserved hydrophobic residues are in the hydrophobic core and therefore may be important for structural integrity. Most of the conserved positively charged residues are likely to be critical for DNA recognition. The C-terminal DNA-binding domain of Ku70 contains a helix-extended strand-helix motif, which occurs in other nucleic acid-binding proteins and may represent a common nucleic acid binding motif.