Flexibility of the DNA‐binding domains of trp repressor

C. L. Lawson, R. Zhang, R. W. Schevitz, Z. Otwinowski, A. Joachimiak, P. B. Sigler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

137 Scopus citations

Abstract

An orthorhombic crystal form of trp repressor (aporepressor plus L‐tryptophan ligand) was solved by molecular replacement, refined to 1.65 Å resolution, and compared to the structure of the repressor in trigonal crystals. Even though these two crystal forms of repressor were grown under identical conditions, the refined structures have distinctly different conformations of the DNA‐binding domains. Unlike the repressor/aporepressor structural transition, the conformational shift is not caused by the binding or loss of the L‐tryptophan ligand. We conclude that while L‐tryptophan binding is essential for forming a specific complex with trp operator DNA, the corepressor ligand does not lock the repressor into a single conformation that is complementary to the operator. This flexibility may be required by the various binding modes proposed for trp repressor in its search for and adherence to its three different operator sites.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18-31
Number of pages14
JournalProteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988

Keywords

  • DNA‐binding domains
  • flexibility
  • trp repressor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

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