Publication Abstract from PubMed
Transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) is a Cys2His2 zinc finger protein that regulates expression of the 5 S ribosomal RNA gene by binding specifically to the internal control element. TFIIIA also functions in transport and storage of 5 S RNA by binding directly to the RNA transcript. To obtain insights into the mechanism by which TFIIIA recognizes 5 S RNA, we determined the solution structure of the middle three zinc fingers bound to the central core of 5 S RNA. Finger 4 utilizes "lock and key" recognition to bind in the widened major groove of the pre-structured RNA loop E motif. This interaction is mediated by direct hydrogen bonding interactions with bases. In contrast, recognition of loop A, a flexible junction of three helices, occurs by an induced fit mechanism that involves reorganization of the conserved CAUA motif and structuring of the finger 5-finger 6 interface to form a complementary RNA binding surface.
Induced fit and "lock and key" recognition of 5S RNA by zinc fingers of transcription factor IIIA.,Lee BM, Xu J, Clarkson BK, Martinez-Yamout MA, Dyson HJ, Case DA, Gottesfeld JM, Wright PE J Mol Biol. 2006 Mar 17;357(1):275-91. Epub 2005 Dec 20. PMID:16405997[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
