The crystal structure of the DNA-binding domain of yeast RAP1 in complex with telomeric DNA

Cell. 1996 Apr 5;85(1):125-36. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81088-0.

Abstract

Telomeres, the nucleoprotein complexes at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, are essential for chromosome stability. In the yeast S. cerevisiae, telomeric DNA is bound in a sequence-specific manner by RAP1, a multifunctional protein also involved in transcriptional regulation. Here we report the crystal structure of the DNA-binding domain of RAP1 in complex with telomeric DNA site at 2.25 A resolution. The protein contains two similar domains that bind DNA in a tandem orientation, recognizing a tandemly repeated DNA sequence. The domains are structurally related to the homeodomain and the proto-oncogene Myb, but show novel features in their DNA-binding mode. A structured linker between the domains and a long C-terminal tail contribute to the binding specificity. This structure provides insight into the recognition of the conserved telomeric DNA sequences by a protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Crystallography
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Telomere / chemistry*
  • Telomere / metabolism
  • Yeasts / chemistry*
  • Yeasts / genetics
  • Yeasts / metabolism
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins