Team:Harvard/Project/Zinc Finger Background

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=What are Zinc Finger Proteins (ZFPs)?=
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==Function==
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ZFPs are found commonly in nature as a class of special transcription factors that bind to DNA, thus regulating gene expression.
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==Structure==
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ZFPs consist of smaller subunits called "fingers" which each contain a zinc finger binding helix that binds to unique DNA sequences. These fingers are linear and linked together by the "zinc finger backbone", a series of approximately 21 amino acids.
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Cis2His2 ZFPs have three main structural components:
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1) Zinc finger binding helix
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2) Linker region
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3) Zinc ion that is coordinated by two cysteine residues and two histidine residues.
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Revision as of 16:50, 25 September 2011

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What are Zinc Finger Proteins (ZFPs)?

Function

ZFPs are found commonly in nature as a class of special transcription factors that bind to DNA, thus regulating gene expression.

Structure

ZFPs consist of smaller subunits called "fingers" which each contain a zinc finger binding helix that binds to unique DNA sequences. These fingers are linear and linked together by the "zinc finger backbone", a series of approximately 21 amino acids.

Cis2His2 ZFPs have three main structural components: 1) Zinc finger binding helix 2) Linker region 3) Zinc ion that is coordinated by two cysteine residues and two histidine residues.