Structural highlights
FunctionVXIS_LAMBD Excisionase and integrase are necessary for the excision of prophage from the host genome by site-specific recombination at the att site. Publication Abstract from PubMedThe excisionase (Xis) protein from bacteriophage lambda is the best characterized member of a large family of recombination directionality factors that control integrase-mediated DNA rearrangements. It triggers phage excision by cooperatively binding to sites X1 and X2 within the phage, bending DNA significantly and recruiting the phage-encoded integrase (Int) protein to site P2. We have determined the co-crystal structure of Xis with its X2 DNA-binding site at 1.7A resolution. Xis forms a unique winged-helix motif that interacts with the major and minor grooves of its binding site using an alpha-helix and an ordered beta-hairpin (wing), respectively. Recognition is achieved through an elaborate water-mediated hydrogen-bonding network at the major groove interface, while the preformed hairpin forms largely non-specific interactions with the minor groove. The structure of the complex provides insights into how Xis recruits Int cooperatively, and suggests a plausible mechanism by which it may distort longer DNA fragments significantly. It reveals a surface on the protein that is likely to mediate Xis-Xis interactions required for its cooperative binding to DNA. Crystal structure of the excisionase-DNA complex from bacteriophage lambda.,Sam MD, Cascio D, Johnson RC, Clubb RT J Mol Biol. 2004 Apr 23;338(2):229-40. PMID:15066428[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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