Recurrent recruitment of the THAP DNA-binding domain and molecular domestication of the P-transposable element

The recently described THAP domain motif characterizes a DNA-binding domain (DBD) that is widely conserved in human and in animals. It presents a similarity with the DBD of the P element transposase of D. melanogaster. We show here that the P Drosophila neogenes derived from P-transposable elements conserve the THAP domain. Moreover, secondary rearrangements by exon shuffling indicate the recurrent recruitment of this domain by the host genome. As P sequences and THAP genes are found together in many animal genomes, we discuss the possibility that the THAP proteins have acquired their domain as a result of recurrent molecular domestication of P-transposable elements.     

Cloning, expression and purification of the DNA binding domain of RFX protein

The RFX DNA binding domain (DBD) is a novel highly conserved motif belonging to a large number of dimer DNA binding proteins which have diverse regulatory functions in eukaryotic organisms. To characterize this novel motif, a 78mer polypeptide corresponding to the DBD of human hRFX (hrfX1/DBD), a prototypical member of the RFX family has been cloned and overproduced in Escherichia coli. A purification procedure using cation exchange chromatography has also been developed.     

Structure-function analysis of the THAP zinc finger of THAP1, a large C2CH DNA-binding module linked to Rb/E2F pathways

THAP1, the founding member of a previously uncharacterized large family of cellular proteins (THAP proteins), is a sequence-specific DNA-binding factor that has recently been shown to regulate cell proliferation through modulation of pRb/E2F cell cycle target genes. THAP1 shares its DNA-binding THAP zinc finger domain with Drosophila P element transposase, zebrafish E2F6, and several nematode proteins interacting genetically with the retinoblastoma protein pRb. In this study, we report the three-dimensional structure and structure-function relationships of the THAP zinc finger of human THAP1. Deletion mutagenesis and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy revealed that the THAP domain of THAP1 is an atypical zinc finger of approximately 80 residues, distinguished by the presence between the C2CH zinc coordinating residues of a short antiparallel beta-sheet interspersed by a long loop-helix-loop insertion. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of this loop-helix-loop motif resulted in the identification of a number of critical residues for DNA recognition. NMR chemical shift perturbation analysis was used to further characterize the residues involved in DNA binding. The combination of the mutagenesis and NMR data allowed the mapping of the DNA binding interface of the THAP zinc finger to a highly positively charged area harboring multiple lysine and arginine residues. Together, these data represent the first structure-function analysis of a functional THAP domain, with demonstrated sequence-specific DNA binding activity. They also provide a structural framework for understanding DNA recognition by this atypical zinc finger, which defines a novel family of cellular factors linked to cell proliferation and pRb/E2F cell cycle pathways in humans, fish, and nematodes.     

DNA binding properties of a chemically synthesized DNA binding domain of hRFX1.

The RFX DNA binding domain (DBD) is a novel highly conserved motif belonging to a large number of dimeric DNA binding proteins which have diverse regulatory functions in eukaryotic organisms, ranging from yeasts to human. To characterize this novel motif, solid phase synthesis of a 76mer polypeptide corresponding to the DBD of human hRFX1 (hRFX1/DBD), a prototypical member of the RFX family, has been optimized to yield large quantities (approximately 90 mg) of pure compound. Preliminary two-dimensional1H NMR experiments suggested the presence of helical regions in this sequence in agreement with previously reported secondary structure predictions. In gel mobility shift assays, this synthetic peptide was shown to bind in a cooperative manner the 23mer duplex oligodeoxynucleotide corresponding to the binding site of hRFX1, with a 2:1 stoichoimetry due to an inverse repeat present in the 23mer. The stoichiometry of this complex was reduced to 1:1 by decreasing the length of the DNA sequence to a 13mer oligonucleotide containing a single half-site. Surface plasmon resonance measurements were achieved using this 5'-biotylinated 13mer oligonucleotide immobilized on an avidin-coated sensor chip. Using this method an association constant (K a = 4 x 10(5)/M/s), a dissociation constant (K d = 6 x 10(-2)/s) and an equilibrium dissociation constant (K D = 153 nM) were determined for binding of hRFX1/DBD to the double-stranded 13mer oligonucleotide. In the presence of hRFX1/DBD the melting temperature of the 13mer DNA was increased by 16 degreesC, illustrating stabilization of the double-stranded conformation induced by the peptide.     

Structural determinants of specific DNA-recognition by the THAP zinc finger

Human THAP1 is the prototype of a large family of cellular factors sharing an original THAP zinc-finger motif responsible for DNA binding. Human THAP1 regulates endothelial cell proliferation and G1/S cell-cycle progression, through modulation of pRb/E2F cell-cycle target genes including rrm1. Recently, mutations in THAP1 have been found to cause DYT6 primary torsion dystonia, a human neurological disease. We report here the first 3D structure of the complex formed by the DNA-binding domain of THAP1 and its specific DNA target (THABS) found within the rrm1 target gene. The THAP zinc finger uses its double-stranded β-sheet to fill the DNA major groove and provides a unique combination of contacts from the β-sheet, the N-terminal tail and surrounding loops toward the five invariant base pairs of the THABS sequence. Our studies reveal unprecedented insights into the specific DNA recognition mechanisms within this large family of proteins controlling cell proliferation, cell cycle and pluripotency.     

Structural rearrangements in the thyroid hormone receptor hinge domain and their putative role in the receptor function

The thyroid hormone receptor (TR) D-domain links the ligand-binding domain (LBD, EF-domain) to the DNA-binding domain (DBD, C-domain), but its structure, and even its existence as a functional unit, are controversial. The D domain is poorly conserved throughout the nuclear receptor family and was originally proposed to comprise an unfolded hinge that facilitates rotation between the LBD and the DBD. Previous TR LBD structures, however, have indicated that the true unstructured region is three to six amino acid residues long and that the D-domain N terminus folds into a short amphipathic alpha-helix (H0) contiguous with the DBD and that the C terminus of the D-domain comprises H1 and H2 of the LBD. Here, we solve structures of TR-LBDs in different crystal forms and show that the N terminus of the TRalpha D-domain can adopt two structures; it can either fold into an amphipathic helix that resembles TRbeta H0 or form an unstructured loop. H0 formation requires contacts with the AF-2 coactivator-binding groove of the neighboring TR LBD, which binds H0 sequences that resemble coactivator LXXLL motifs. Structural analysis of a liganded TR LBD with small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) suggests that AF-2/H0 interactions mediate dimerization of this protein in solution. We propose that the TR D-domain has the potential to form functionally important extensions of the DBD and LBD or unfold to permit TRs to adapt to different DNA response elements. We also show that mutations of the D domain LXXLL-like motif indeed selectively inhibit TR interactions with an inverted palindromic response element (F2) in vitro and TR activity at this response element in cell-based transfection experiments.     

Solution structure of the PX domain, a target of the SH3 domain

The phox homology (PX) domain is a novel protein module containing a conserved proline-rich motif. We have shown that the PX domain isolated from the human p47phox protein, a soluble subunit of phagocyte NADPH oxidase, binds specifically to the C-terminal SH3 domain derived from the same protein. The solution structure of p47 PX has an alpha + beta structure with a novel folding motif topology and reveals that the proline-rich motif is presented on the molecular surface for easy recognition by the SH3 domain. The proline-rich motif of p47 PX in the free state adopts a distorted left-handed polyproline type II helix conformation.     

The role of the J domain of SV40 large T in cellular transformation.

SV40 large T antigen (TAg)-mediated transformation is dependent on binding to p53 and the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) and inactivating their growth suppressive functions. Transformation minimally requires three regions of TAg: a C-terminal domain that mediates binding to p53; the LXCXE motif (residues 103-107), necessary for binding to pRB and the related proteins p107 and p130; and an N-terminal domain (residues 1-82) that contains homology to the J domain found in cellular DnaJ/Hsp40 molecular chaperone proteins. We have found that the N-terminal J domain of T Ag cooperates with the LXCXE motif to inactivate the growth suppressive functions of the pRB-related proteins.     

Conformational dynamics and molecular recognition: backbone dynamics of the estrogen receptor DNA-binding domain.

We examined the internal mobility of the estrogen receptor DNA-binding domain (ER DBD) using NMR15N relaxation measurements and compared it to that of the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain (GR DBD). The studied protein fragments consist of residues Arg183-His267 of the human ER and residues Lys438-Gln520 of the rat GR. The15N longitudinal (R1) and transverse (R2) relaxation rates and steady state {1H}-15N nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOEs) were measured at 30 degrees C at1H NMR frequencies of 500 and 600 MHz. The NOE versus sequence profile and calculated order parameters for ER DBD backbone motions indicate enhanced internal dynamics on pico- to nanosecond time-scales in two regions of the core DBD. These are the extended strand which links the DNA recognition helix to the second zinc domain and the larger loop region of the second zinc domain. The mobility of the corresponding regions of the GR DBD, in particular that of the second zinc domain, is more limited. In addition, we find large differences between the ER and GR DBDs in the extent of conformational exchange mobility on micro- to millisecond time-scales. Based on measurements of R2as a function of the15N refocusing (CPMG) delay and quantitative (Lipari-Szabo-type) analysis, we conclude that conformational exchange occurs in the loop of the first zinc domain and throughout most of the second zinc domain of the ER DBD. The conformational exchange dynamics in GR DBD is less extensive and localized to two sites in the second zinc domain. The different dynamical features seen in the two proteins is consistent with previous studies of the free state structures in which the second zinc domain in the ER DBD was concluded to be disordered whereas the corresponding region of the GR DBD adopts a stable fold. Moreover, the regions of the ER DBD that undergo conformational dynamics on the micro- to millisecond time-scales in the free state are involved in intermolecular protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions in the dimeric bound state. Based on the present data and the previously published dynamical and DNA binding properties of a GR DBD triple mutant which recognize an ER binding site on DNA, we argue that the free state dynamical properties of the nuclear receptor DBDs is an important element in molecular recognition upon DNA binding.     

DNA binding domain in the replication checkpoint protein Mrc1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The replication checkpoint is activated when replication forks are obstructed by DNA lesions or protein complexes bound to DNA or when DNA synthesis is restrained by the limited availability of deoxyribonucleotides. This checkpoint preserves genome integrity by stabilizing stalled forks and delaying the onset of mitosis. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Mrc1 is a replication checkpoint adaptor protein that allows the sensor kinase Rad3-Rad26 to activate the effector kinase Cds1. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Mrc1 associates with replication forks and co-precipitates with the DNA replication protein Cdc45. Whether or not Mrc1 interacts directly with DNA is unknown. Here we define a approximately 150 amino acid DNA binding domain (DBD) in the N-terminal region of S. pombe Mrc1. The DBD interacts preferentially with branched DNA structures in vitro. Deletion of the DBD or point mutations that diminish its DNA binding activity render cells sensitive to the replication inhibitor hydroxyurea. These mutations also impair the replication checkpoint arrest. The DBD has a helix-loop-helix motif that is predicted to bind DNA. This motif is conserved in the recently identified N-terminal DBD of human Claspin, a presumptive homolog of yeast Mrc1 proteins.