Team:Harvard/Project/Zinc Finger Background

From 2011.igem.org

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(What are Zinc Finger Proteins (ZFPs)?)
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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.
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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*Cis2His2 ZFPs have three main structural components:
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1) Zinc finger binding helix
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** Zinc finger binding helix
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2) Linker region
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** Linker region
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3) Zinc ion that is coordinated by two cysteine residues and two histidine residues.
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** Zinc ion that is coordinated by two cysteine residues and two histidine residues.
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Revision as of 16:51, 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:
    • Zinc finger binding helix
    • Linker region
    • Zinc ion that is coordinated by two cysteine residues and two histidine residues.