Crystal structure and DNA-binding analysis of RecO from Deinococcus radiodurans

The RecFOR pathway has been shown to be essential for DNA repair through the process of homologous recombination in bacteria and, recently, to be important in the recovery of stalled replication forks following UV irradiation. RecO, along with RecR, RecF, RecQ and RecJ, is a principal actor in this fundamental DNA repair pathway. Here we present the three-dimensional structure of a member of the RecO family. The crystal structure of Deinococcus radiodurans RecO (drRecO) reveals possible binding sites for DNA and for the RecO-binding proteins within its three discrete structural regions: an N-terminal oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding domain, a helical bundle and a zinc-finger motif. Furthermore, drRecO was found to form a stable complex with RecR and to bind both single- and double-stranded DNA. Mutational analysis confirmed the existence of multiple DNA-binding sites within the protein.     

ZFAT is an antiapoptotic molecule and critical for cell survival in MOLT-4 cells

ZFAT (also known as ZNF406), originally identified as a candidate gene for autoimmune thyroid disease, encodes a zinc-finger protein, however, its function has not been elucidated. Here, we report that human ZFAT protein is expressed in peripheral B and T lymphocytes and a human acute T lymphoblastic leukaemia cell line, MOLT-4 cells. Intriguing is that mouse ZFAT expression in CD4⁺ lymphocytes is increased during blast formation. Furthermore, ZFAT-knockdown in MOLT-4 induces apoptosis via activation of caspases. These results suggested that ZFAT protein is a critical regulator involved in apoptosis and cell survival for immune-related cells.     

锌指转录因子snail超家族

snail超家族基因作为一种锌指转录因子参与调控胚胎发育和肿瘤发生过程.不同的家族成员已显示在许多信号的级联放大过程中起作用,包括左右轴识别、附肢形成、神经分化和细胞命运决定等形成过程.     

锌指蛋白及人工锌指蛋白对微生物代谢影响的研究进展

锌指蛋白由于锌指结构域序列相对保守,识别DNA序列具有高度特异性,所以成为研究较广泛的DNA结合蛋白,但目前对锌指蛋白的研究多集中在真核细胞,而对微生物锌指蛋白,尤其是原核微生物锌指蛋白的研究相对较少。本文综述了近年来微生物锌指蛋白,尤其是原核微生物锌指蛋白的发现及功能的最新研究进展,以及人工锌指蛋白技术在微生物菌株改造中的应用。特定人工锌指蛋白不仅可调控微生物细胞中多基因控制的复杂性状,例如耐热性、乙醇和丁醇耐性、渗透胁迫耐受性等,还可以利用锌指结构域构建DNA脚手架系统,进而构建复合酶系统,从而提高催化效率和代谢物产量。目前报道的用于微生物代谢调控的人工锌指蛋白利用的都是哺乳动物的基因,未来根据不同微生物中天然锌指蛋白的序列进行人工锌指的设计,将拓展人工转录因子技术在微生物全局基因表达调控中的应用。