Structural basis of the bacteriophage TP901‐1 CI repressor dimerization and interaction with DNA

May 22, 2018

Title

Structural basis of the bacteriophage TP901‐1 CI repressor dimerization and interaction with DNA

Author

Kim Krighaar Rasmussen, Anders K. Varming, Simon N. Schmidt, Kristian E.H. Frandsen, Peter W. Thulstrup, Malene Ringkjøbing Jensen, Leila Lo Leggio

Year

2018

Journal

FEBS Letters

Abstract

Temperate bacteriophages are known for their bi‐stability, which in TP901‐1 is controlled by two proteins, CI and MOR. CI is hexameric and binds three palindromic operator sites via an N‐terminal helix‐turn‐helix domain (NTD). A dimeric form, such as the truncated CI∆58 investigated here, is necessary for high affinity binding to DNA. The crystal structure of the dimerization region (CTD1) is determined here, showing that it forms a pair of helical hooks. This newly determined structure is used together with the known crystal structure of the CI‐NTD and small angle X‐ray scattering data, to determine the solution structure of CI∆58 in complex with a palindromic operator site, showing that the two NTDs bind on opposing sides of the DNA helix.

Instrument

J-815

Keywords

Circular dichroism, Secondary structure, DNA structure, DNA binding, Biochemistry