From keys to bulldozers: expanding roles for winged helix domains in nucleic-acid-binding proteins

Harami, G. M. and Gyimesi, M. and Kovács, M. (2013) From keys to bulldozers: expanding roles for winged helix domains in nucleic-acid-binding proteins. Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 38. pp. 364-371. ISSN 0968-0004, ESSN: 0167-7640

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Abstract

The winged helix domain (WHD) is a widespread nucleic-acid-binding protein structural element found in all kingdoms of life. Although the overall structure of the WHD is conserved, its functional properties and interaction profiles are extremely versatile. WHD-containing proteins can exploit nearly the full spectrum of nucleic acid structural features for recognition and even covalent modification or noncovalent rearrangement of target molecules. WHD functions range from sequence-recognizing keys in transcription factors and bulldozer-like strand-separating wedges in helicases to mediators of protein–protein interactions (PPIs). Further investigations are needed to understand the contribution of WHD structural dynamics to nucleic-acid-modifying enzymatic functions.

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