Publication Date:
2012-10-30
Description:
The ID proteins are named for their role as inhibitors of DNA binding and differentiation. They contain a helix–loop–helix (HLH) domain but lack a basic DNA-binding domain. In complex with basic HLH (bHLH) transcription factors, gene expression is regulated by DNA-binding inactivation. Although the HLH domain is highly conserved and shares a similar topology, the IDs preferentially bind class I bHLH-group members such as E47 (TCF3) but not the class III bHLH member Myc. A structure of an ID protein could potentially shed light on its mechanism. Owing to their short half-livesin vivoand reportedin vitroinstability, this paper describes the strategies that went into expressing sufficient soluble and stable ID2 to finally obtain diffraction-quality crystals. A 2.1 Å resolution data set was collected from a crystal belonging to space groupP3121 with unit-cell parametersa=b= 51.622,c= 111.474 Å, α = β = 90, γ = 120° that was obtained by hanging-drop vapour diffusion in a precipitant solution consisting of 0.1 MMES pH 6.5, 2.0 Mpotassium acetate. The solvent content was consistent with the presence of one or two molecules in the asymmetric unit.
Print ISSN:
1744-3091
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Geosciences
,
Physics
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