DNA-binding domain of Germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF) F1 is composed of two C4-type zinc fingers
DNA-binding domain of Germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF) F1 is composed of two C4-type zinc fingers. Each zinc finger contains a group of four Cys residues which coordinates a single zinc atom. This domain interacts with specific DNA sites upstream of the target gene and modulates the rate of transcriptional initiation. GCNF is a transcription factor expressed in post-meiotic stages of developing male germ cells. In vitro, GCNF has the ability to bind to direct repeat elements of 5'-AGGTCA.AGGTCA-3', as well as to an extended half-site sequence 5'-TCA.AGGTCA-3'. Like other members of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors, GCNF has a central well conserved DNA-binding domain (DBD), a variable N-terminal domain, a flexible hinge and a C-terminal ligand binding domain (LBD).