2jz1
From Proteopedia
DSX_long
Overview
The DSX (Doublesex) transcription factor regulates somatic sexual differentiation in Drosophila. Female and male isoforms (DSX(F) and DSX(M)) are formed due to sex-specific RNA splicing. DNA recognition, mediated by a shared N-terminal zinc module (the DM domain), is enhanced by a C-terminal dimerization element. Sex-specific extension of this element in DSX(F) and DSX(M) leads to assembly of distinct transcriptional preinitiation complexes. Here, we describe the structure of the extended C-terminal dimerization domain of DSX(F) as determined by multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. The core dimerization element is well ordered, giving rise to a dense network of interresidue nuclear Overhauser enhancements. The structure contains dimer-related UBA folds similar to those defined by x-ray crystallographic studies of a truncated domain. Whereas the proximal portion of the female tail extends helix 3 of the UBA fold, the distal tail is disordered. Ala substitutions in the proximal tail disrupt the sex-specific binding of IX (Intersex), an obligatory partner protein and putative transcriptional coactivator; IX-DSX(F) interaction is, by contrast, not disrupted by truncation of the distal tail. Mutagenesis of the UBA-like dimer of DSX(F) highlights the importance of steric and electrostatic complementarity across the interface. Two temperature-sensitive mutations at this interface have been characterized in yeast model systems. One weakens a network of solvated salt bridges, whereas the other perturbs the underlying nonpolar interface. These mutations confer graded gene-regulatory activity in yeast within a physiological temperature range and so may provide novel probes for genetic analysis of a sex-specific transcriptional program in Drosophila development.
About this Structure
2JZ1 is a Single protein structure of sequence from Drosophila melanogaster. Full crystallographic information is available from OCA.
Reference
Doublesex and the Regulation of Sexual Dimorphism in Drosophila melanogaster: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, AND MUTAGENESIS OF A FEMALE-SPECIFIC DOMAIN., Yang Y, Zhang W, Bayrer JR, Weiss MA, J Biol Chem. 2008 Mar 14;283(11):7280-92. Epub 2008 Jan 9. PMID:18184648 Page seeded by OCA on Wed Apr 9 14:40:06 2008
