Winged-helix Fold Research Articles

Structural Basis for DNA Recognition by FOXG1 and the Characterization of Disease-causing FOXG1 Mutations

Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) is a transcription factor mainly expressed in the brain that plays a critical role in the development and regionalization of the forebrain. Aberrant expression of FOXG1 has implications in FOXG1 syndrome, a serious neurodevelopmental disorder. Here, we report the crystal structure of the FOXG1 DNA-binding domain (DBD) in complex with the forkhead consensus DNA site DBE2 at the resolution of 1.6 Å. FOXG1-DBD adopts a typical winged helix fold. Compared to those of other FOX-DBD/DBE2 structures, the N terminus, H3 helix and wing2 region of FOXG1-DBD exhibit differences in DNA recognition. The FOXG1-DBD wing2 region adopts a unique architecture composed of two β-strands that differs from all other known FOX-DBD wing2 folds. Mutation assays revealed that the disease-causing mutations within the FOXG1-DBD affect DNA binding, protein thermal stability, or both. Our report provides initial insight into how FOXG1 binds DNA and sheds light on how disease-causing mutations in FOXG1-DBD affect its DNA-binding ability.

Raw nuclear magnetic resonance data of human linker histone H1x, lacking the C-terminal domain (NGH1x), and trajectory data of nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations of GH1x- and NGH1x-chromatosomes.

Linker histone H1 plays a vital role in the packaging of DNA. H1 has a tripartite structure: a conserved central globular domain that adopts a winged-helix fold, flanked by highly variable and intrinsically unstructured N- and C-terminal domains. The datasets presented in this article include raw 2D and 3D BEST-TROSY NMR data [1H-15 N HSQC; 15 N and 13C HNCO, HN(CO)CACB, HNCACB, HN(CA)CO] recorded for NGH1x, a truncated version of H1x containing the N-terminal and globular domains, but lacking the C-terminal domain. Experiments were conducted on double-labelled (15 N and 13C) NGH1x in 'low' and 'high salt,' to investigate the secondary structure content of the N-terminal domain of H1x under these conditions. We provide modelled structures of NGH1x (in low and high salt) based on the assigned chemical shifts in PDB format. The high salt structure of NGH1x (globular domain of H1x [GH1x; PDB: 2LSO] with the H1x NTD) was docked to the nucleosome to generate NGH1x- and GH1x-chromatosomes. The GH1x-chromatosome was generated for comparative purposes to elucidate the role of the N-terminal domain. We present raw data trajectories of molecular dynamics simulations of these chromatosomes in this article. The MD dataset provides nanosecond resolution data on the dynamics of GH1x- vs NGH1x-chromatosomes, which is useful to elucidate the DNA binding properties of the N-terminal domain of H1x in chromatin, as well as the dynamic behaviour of linker DNA in these chromatosomes.

NMR assignments of human linker histone H1x N-terminal domain and globular domain in the presence and absence of perchlorate.

Human linker histone H1 plays a seminal role in eukaryotic DNA packaging. H1 has a tripartite structure consisting of a central, conserved globular domain, which adopts a winged-helix fold, flanked by two variable N- and C-terminal domains. Here we present the backbone resonance assignments of the N-terminal domain and globular domain of human linker histone H1x in the presence and absence of the secondary structure stabilizer sodium perchlorate. Analysis of chemical shift changes between the two conditions is consistent with induction of transient secondary structural elements in the N-terminal domain of H1x in high ionic strength, which suggests that the N-terminal domain adopts significant alpha-helical conformations in the presence of DNA.

Structural basis for DNA recognition by FOXC2.

The FOXC family of transcription factors (FOXC1 and FOXC2) plays essential roles in the regulation of embryonic, ocular, and cardiac development. Mutations and abnormal expression of FOXC proteins are implicated in genetic diseases as well as cancer. In this study, we determined two crystal structures of the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of human FOXC2 protein, in complex with different DNA sites. The FOXC2-DBD adopts the winged-helix fold with helix H3 contributing to all the base specific contacts, while the N-terminus, wing 1, and the C-terminus of FOXC2-DBD all make additional contacts with the phosphate groups of DNA. Our structural, biochemical, and bioinformatics analyses allow us to revise the previously proposed DNA recognition mechanism and provide a model of DNA binding for the FOXC proteins. In addition, our structural analysis and accompanying biochemical assays provide a molecular basis for understanding disease-causing mutations in FOXC1 and FOXC2.

Structure of the Forkhead Domain of FOXA2 Bound to a Complete DNA Consensus Site.

FOXA2, a member of the forkhead family of transcription factors, plays essential roles in liver development and bile acid homeostasis. In this study, we report a 2.8 Å co-crystal structure of the FOXA2 DNA-binding domain (FOXA2-DBD) bound to a DNA duplex containing a forkhead consensus binding site (GTAAACA). The FOXA2-DBD adopts the canonical winged-helix fold, with helix H3 and wing 1 regions mainly mediating the DNA recognition. Although the wing 2 region was not defined in the structure, isothermal titration calorimetry assays suggested that this region was required for optimal DNA binding. Structure comparison with the FOXA3-DBD bound to DNA revealed more major groove contacts and fewer minor groove contacts in the FOXA2 structure than in the FOXA3 structure. Structure comparison with the FOXO1-DBD bound to DNA showed that different forkhead proteins could induce different DNA conformations upon binding to identical DNA sequences. Our findings provide the structural basis for FOXA2 protein binding to a consensus forkhead site and elucidate how members of the forkhead protein family bind different DNA sites.

Comparative study of the marR genes within the family Enterobacteriaceae.

marR genes are members of an ancient family originally identified in Escherichia coli. This family is widely distributed in archaea and bacteria. Homologues of this family have a conserved winged helix fold. MarR proteins are involved in non-specific resistance systems conferring resistance to multiple antibiotics. Extensive studies have shown the importance of MarR proteins in physiology and pathogenicity in Enterobacteria, but little is known about their origin or evolution. In this study, all the marR genes in 43 enterobacterial genomes representing 14 genera were identified, and the phylogenetic relationships and genetic parameters were analyzed. Several major findings were made. Three conserved marR genes originated earlier than Enterobacteriaceae and a geneloss event was found to have taken place in Yersinia pestis Antiqua. Three functional genes, rovA, hor, and slyA, were found to be clear orthologs among Enterobacteriaceae. The copy number of marR genes in Enterobacteriaceae was found to vary from 2 to 11. These marR genes exhibited a faster rate of nucleotide substitution than housekeeping genes did. Specifically, the regions of marR domain were found to be subject to strong purifying selection. The phylogenetic relationship and genetic parameter analyses were consistent with conservation and specificity of marR genes. These dual characters helped MarR to maintain a conserved binding motif and variable C-terminus, which are important to adaptive responses to a number of external stimuli in Enterobacteriaceae.

Structure of a Novel Winged-Helix Like Domain from Human NFRKB Protein

The human nuclear factor related to kappa-B-binding protein (NFRKB) is a 1299-residue protein that is a component of the metazoan INO80 complex involved in chromatin remodeling, transcription regulation, DNA replication and DNA repair. Although full length NFRKB is predicted to be around 65% disordered, comparative sequence analysis identified several potentially structured sections in the N-terminal region of the protein. These regions were targeted for crystallographic studies, and the structure of one of these regions spanning residues 370–495 was determined using the JCSG high-throughput structure determination pipeline. The structure reveals a novel, mostly helical domain reminiscent of the winged-helix fold typically involved in DNA binding. However, further analysis shows that this domain does not bind DNA, suggesting it may belong to a small group of winged-helix domains involved in protein-protein interactions.

Structure of the FoxM1 DNA-recognition domain bound to a promoter sequence

FoxM1 is a member of the Forkhead family of transcription factors and is implicated in inducing cell proliferation and some forms of tumorigenesis. It binds promoter regions with a preference for tandem repeats of a consensus ‘TAAACA’ recognition sequence. The affinity of the isolated FoxM1 DNA-binding domain for this site is in the micromolar range, lower than observed for other Forkhead proteins. To explain these FoxM1 features, we determined the crystal structure of its DNA-binding domain in complex with a tandem recognition sequence. FoxM1 adopts the winged-helix fold, typical of the Forkhead family. Neither ‘wing’ of the fold however, makes significant contacts with the DNA, while the second, C-terminal, wing adopts an unusual ordered conformation across the back of the molecule. The lack of standard DNA–‘wing’ interactions may be a reason for FoxM1’s relatively low affinity. The role of the ‘wings’ is possibly undertaken by other FoxM1 regions outside the DBD, that could interact with the target DNA directly or mediate interactions with other binding partners. Finally, we were unable to show a clear preference for tandem consensus site recognition in DNA-binding, transcription activation or bioinformatics analysis; FoxM1's moniker, ‘Trident’, is not supported by our data.

LOTUS, a new domain associated with small RNA pathways in the germline

We describe here LOTUS, a hitherto uncharacterized small globular domain, which was identified using sensitive sequence profile analysis. The LOTUS domain is found in germline-specific proteins that are present in the nuage/polar granules of germ cells. TDRD5 and TDRD7, two mammalian members of the germline Tudor group, possess three copies of the LOTUS domain in their extreme N-termini. The Tudor domains of these proteins bind symmetric dimethyl arginines present on the germ cell-specific Piwi proteins, which form a particular clade of Argonaute proteins. Piwi proteins interact with a specific class of non-coding RNAs [piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs)] and play a key role in the repression (silencing) of transposons and possibly other germline-specific functions. A LOTUS domain is also present in the Oskar protein, a critical component of the pole plasm in the Drosophila oocyte, which is required for germ cell formation. LOTUS domains are found in various proteins from metazoans and plants, are often associated with RNA-specific modules and are likely to adopt a winged helix fold. This suggests a germline-specific role in the mRNA localization and/or translation or a specific function toward piRNAs.

Structure of the Cdt1 C‐terminal domain: Conservation of the winged helix fold in replication licensing factors

In eukaryotic replication licensing, Cdt1 plays a key role by recruiting the MCM2-7 complex onto the origin of chromosome. The C-terminal domain of mouse Cdt1 (mCdt1C), the most conserved region in Cdt1, is essential for licensing and directly interacts with the MCM2-7 complex. We have determined the structures of mCdt1CS (mCdt1C_small; residues 452 to 557) and mCdt1CL (mCdt1C_large; residues 420 to 557) using X-ray crystallography and solution NMR spectroscopy, respectively. While the N-terminal 31 residues of mCdt1CL form a flexible loop with a short helix near the middle, the rest of mCdt1C folds into a winged helix structure. Together with the middle domain of mouse Cdt1 (mCdt1M, residues 172-368), this study reveals that Cdt1 is formed with a tandem repeat of the winged helix domain. The winged helix fold is also conserved in other licensing factors including archaeal ORC and Cdc6, which supports an idea that these replication initiators may have evolved from a common ancestor. Based on the structure of mCdt1C, in conjunction with the biochemical analysis, we propose a binding site for the MCM complex within the mCdt1C.

Crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426 DnaD protein

The DnaD is one of the primosomal proteins that are required for initiation and re-initiation of chromosomal DNA replication in Gram-positive bacteria. The DnaD protein is composed of two major structural domains: an N-terminal oligomerization domain and a C-terminal ssDNA binding domain. Here, we report the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain (aa 1–128) of DnaD (DnaDn) of Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426 at 2.3 Å resolution. The structure of DnaDn reveals an extended winged-helix fold, a typical double-stranded DNA binding motif as winged-helix proteins. DnaDn formed tetramers in the crystalline state, but the results of gel filtration chromatography further indicated that this domain of DnaD was a stable dimer in solution. The structural analysis of DnaDn may suggest the binding sites for DNA and DnaB, and an assembly mechanism for Gram-positive bacterial DNA replication primosome.

The Structural Basis of Signal Transduction for the Response Regulator PrrA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The structure of the two-domain response regulator PrrA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis shows a compact structure in the crystal with a well defined interdomain interface. The interface, which does not include the interdomain linker, makes the recognition helix and the trans-activation loop of the effector domain inaccessible for interaction with DNA. Part of the interface involves hydrogen-bonding interactions of a tyrosine residue in the receiver domain that is believed to be involved in signal transduction, which, if disrupted, would destabilize the interdomain interface, allowing a more extended conformation of the molecule, which would in turn allow access to the recognition helix. In solution, there is evidence for an equilibrium between compact and extended forms of the protein that is far toward the compact form when the protein is inactivated but moves toward a more extended form when activated by the cognate sensor kinase PrrB.

Ligand-responsive Transcriptional Regulation by Members of the MarR Family of Winged Helix Proteins

The MarR (multiple antibiotic resistance regulator) family of prokaryotic transcriptional regulators includes proteins critical for control of virulence factor production, bacterial response to antibiotic and oxidative stresses and catabolism of environmental aromatic compounds. Recognition of the adaptive cellular responses mediated by MarR homologs, and the clinical isolation of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains harboring MarR mutations, has garnered increasing medical and agricultural attention to this family. MarR proteins exist as homodimers in both free and DNA-bound states. Sequence specific DNA-binding to palindromic or pseudopalindromic sites is mediated by a conserved winged helix fold and, for numerous homologs, this association is attenuated by specific anionic lipophilic ligands. The mechanism of ligand-mediated allosteric control of DNA binding is unique amongst prokaryotic transcriptional regulators in that the DNA- and ligand-binding domains almost completely overlap in the residues involved. Until recently, our understanding of ligand-binding has been limited to a MarR-salicylate co-crystal structure, with little information on the allosteric mechanisms linking ligand-recognition and DNA-binding. However, recent biochemical and biophysical data on MarR homologs have begun to resolve the mechanisms by which these proteins mediate ligand-responsive transcriptional control.

The Structure of the Excisionase (Xis) Protein from Conjugative Transposon Tn 916 Provides Insights into the Regulation of Heterobivalent Tyrosine Recombinases

Heterobivalent tyrosine recombinases play a prominent role in numerous bacteriophage and transposon recombination systems. Their enzymatic activities are frequently regulated at a structural level by excisionase factors, which alter the ability of the recombinase to assemble into higher-order recombinogenic nucleoprotein structures. The Tn916 conjugative transposon spreads antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria and is mobilized by a heterobivalent recombinase (Tn916Int), whose activity is regulated by an excisionase factor (Tn916Xis). Unlike the well-characterized (lambda)Xis excisionase from bacteriophage lambda, Tn916Xis stimulates excision in vitro and in Escherichia coli only modestly. To gain insights into this functional difference, we have performed in vitro DNA-binding studies of Tn916Xis and Tn916Int, and we have solved the solution structure of Tn916Xis. We show that the heterobivalent Tn916Int protein is capable of bridging the DR2-type and core-type sites on the left arm of the tranpsoson. Consistent with the notion that Tn916Int is regulated only loosely, we find that Tn916Xis binding does not alter the stability of DR2-Tn916Int-core bridges or the ability of Tn916Int to recognize the arms of the transposon in vitro. Despite a high degree of divergence at the primary sequence level, we show that Tn916Xis and (lambda)Xis adopt related prokaryotic winged-helix structures. However, they differ at their C termini, with Tn916Xis replacing the flexible integrase contacting tail found in (lambda)Xis with a positively charged alpha-helix. This difference provides a structural explanation for why Tn916Xis does not interact cooperatively with its cognate integrase in vitro, and reveals how subtle changes in the winged-helix fold can modulate the functional properties of excisionase factors.

An Extended Winged Helix Domain in General Transcription Factor E/IIEα

Initiation of eukaryotic mRNA transcription requires melting of promoter DNA with the help of the general transcription factors TFIIE and TFIIH. Here we define a conserved and functionally essential N-terminal domain in TFE, the archaeal homolog of the large TFIIE subunit alpha. X-ray crystallography shows that this TFE domain adopts a winged helix-turn-helix (winged helix) fold, extended by specific alpha-helices at the N and C termini. Although the winged helix fold is often found in DNA-binding proteins, we show that TFE is not a typical DNA-binding winged helix protein, because its putative DNA-binding face shows a negatively charged groove and an unusually long wing, and because the domain lacks DNA-binding activity in vitro. The groove and a conserved hydrophobic surface patch on the additional N-terminal alpha-helix may, however, allow for interactions with other general transcription factors and RNA polymerase. Homology modeling shows that the TFE domain is conserved in TFIIE alpha, including the potential functional surfaces.

A conformational switch between transcriptional repression and replication initiation in the RepA dimerization domain.

Plasmids are natural vectors for gene transfer. In Gram-negative bacteria, plasmid DNA replication is triggered when monomers of an initiator protein (Rep) bind to direct repeats at the origin sequence. Rep dimers, which are inactive as initiators, bind to an inverse repeat operator, repressing transcription of the rep gene. Rep proteins are composed of N-terminal dimerization and C-terminal DNA-binding domains. Activation of Rep is coupled to dimer dissociation, converting the dimerization domain into a second origin-binding module. Although the structure of the monomeric F plasmid initiator (mRepE) has been determined, the molecular nature of Rep activation remains unknown. Here we report the crystal structure of the dimeric N-terminal domain of the pPS10 plasmid initiator (dRepA). dRepA has a winged-helix fold, as does its homologous domain in mRepE. However, dimerization transforms an interdomain loop and beta-strand (monomeric RepE) into an alpha-helix (dimeric RepA). dRepA resemble the C terminus of eukaryotic and archaeal Cdc6, giving clues to the phylogeny of DNA replication initiators.

Tandem DNA Recognition by PhoB, a Two-Component Signal Transduction Transcriptional Activator

PhoB is a signal transduction response regulator that activates nearly 40 genes in phosphate depletion conditions in E. coli and closely related bacteria. The structure of the PhoB effector domain in complex with its target DNA sequence, or pho box, reveals a novel tandem arrangement in which several monomers bind head to tail to successive 11-base pair direct-repeat sequences, coating one face of a smoothly bent double helix. The protein has a winged helix fold in which the DNA recognition elements comprise helix α3, penetrating the major groove, and a β hairpin wing interacting with a compressed minor groove via Arg219, tightly sandwiched between the DNA sugar backbones. The transactivation loops protrude laterally in an appropriate orientation to interact with the RNA polymerase σ 70 subunit, which triggers transcription initiation.

Structure and Function of Cdc6/Cdc18: Implications for Origin Recognition and Checkpoint Control

Cdc6/Cdc18 is a conserved and essential component of prereplication complexes. The 2.0 Å crystal structure of an archaeal Cdc6 ortholog, in conjunction with a mutational analysis of the homologous Cdc18 protein from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, reveals novel aspects of Cdc6/Cdc18 function. Two domains of Cdc6 form an AAA +-type nucleotide binding fold that is observed bound to Mg•ADP. A third domain adopts a winged-helix fold similar to known DNA binding modules. Sequence comparisons show that the winged-helix domain is conserved in Orc1, and mutagenesis data demonstrate that this region of Cdc6/Cdc18 is required for function in vivo. Additional mutational analyses suggest that nucleotide binding and/or hydrolysis by Cdc6/Cdc18 is required not only for progression through S phase, but also for maintenance of checkpoint control during S phase.