The three-dimensional structure of trp repressor

Nature. 1985;317(6040):782-6. doi: 10.1038/317782a0.

Abstract

The crystal structure of the Escherichia coli trp repressor has been solved to atomic resolution. The dimeric protein has a remarkable subunit interface in which five of each subunit's six helices are interlinked. The binding of L-tryptophan activates the aporepressor indirectly by fixing the orientation of the second helix of the helix-turn-helix motif and by moulding the details of the repressor's structure near the DNA binding surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Binding Sites
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry
  • Crystallization
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Operator Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Conformation
  • Repressor Proteins* / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins* / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors* / genetics
  • Transcription Factors* / metabolism
  • Tryptophan / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Repressor Proteins
  • TRPR protein, E coli
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tryptophan