This C-terminal domain of Regulatory factor X-associated protein binds to RFXANK, the Ankyrin-repeat regulatory factor X proteins. RFXA is part of the RFX complex, Mutants of either RFXAP or RFXANK protein fail to bind to each other. RFX5 binds only to the RFXANK-RFXAP scaffold and not to either protein alone, and neither the scaffold nor RFX5 alone can bind DNA. The binding of the RFXANK-RFXAP scaffold to RFX5 leads to a conformational change in the latter that exposes the DNA-binding domain of RFX5. The DNA-binding domain of RFX5 anchors the RFX complex to MHC class II X and S promoter boxes.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",