Everett, R.D., Barlow, P., Milner, A., Luisi, B., Orr, A., Hope, G. and Lyon, D. (1993) A novel arrangement of zinc-binding residues and secondary structure in the C3HC4 motif of an alpha herpes virus protein family. Journal of Molecular Biology, 234(4), pp. 1038-1047. (doi: 10.1006/jmbi.1993.1657)
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Abstract
A highly conserved, cysteine-rich region plays a crucial role in the function of a family of regulatory proteins encoded by alpha herpes viruses. The so-called C3HC4 motif spans approximately 60 residues and has been predicted to bind zinc. This motif occurs in a number of other viral and cellular proteins, many of which appear to be involved in some aspect of the regulation of gene expression. We have cloned and expressed in bacteria a portion of immediate-early protein Vmw110 of herpes simplex virus type 1 that encompasses the C3HC4 motif, and the equivalent regions from the homologous proteins of varicella zoster virus and equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1). All three polypeptides were purified and found to bind zinc stably. None of the three interacted significantly with either DNA or RNA under our assay conditions. The EHV-1 domain yielded interpretable proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Assignment of resonances and analysis of nuclear Overhauser effects revealed its secondary structure. Starting from the N terminus, this consists of an ordered but irregular loop, the first two strands of a triple-stranded antiparallel β-sheet, two turns of an α-helix, a second irregular loop, and the third strand of the β-sheet. It appears that, taking the cysteine and histidine residues in turn, cysteine residues I, II, IV and V co-ordinate one zinc atom while the histidine residue and cysteine residues III, VI and VII co-ordinate a second zinc atom. This arrangement of secondary structure differs from that found in other characterized zinc-containing proteins.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Everett, Professor Roger and Orr, Mrs Anne and Hope, Dr Graham |
Authors: | Everett, R.D., Barlow, P., Milner, A., Luisi, B., Orr, A., Hope, G., and Lyon, D. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research |
Journal Name: | Journal of Molecular Biology |
Publisher: | Academic Press |
ISSN: | 0022-2836 |
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