The HMG Box, a novel motif of minor-groove DNA recognition, defines a diverse class of nuclear proteins. Of particular importance in human biology are HMG transcription factors, which regulate essential functions in the immune system (lymphoid-specific regulators TCR1 and LEF1), metabolism (insulin-responsive transcription factor IREBP1), and male sexual developemnt (testis determining factor SRY). Here we propose to conduct multidimensional NMR studies of a specific complex between a representative HMG Box (SRY) and its DNA binding site. These studies will test the following hypotheses; Hypothesis 1. The sequence-specific HMG-Box exhibits a novel mechanism of DNA recognition. Hypothesis 2. On HMG binding, DNA undergoes a major structural change . Hypothesis 3. Mutation of conserved residues in the HMG Box alters protein structure, stability, or DNA-binding. Hypothesis 4. A common mechanism underlies both duplex DNA recognition and sequence-independent but structure-specific binding to 4-way DNA junctions. Structure-function relationships will be inferred from comparative NMR studies of SRY mutations associated with human developmental abnormalities. This application thus offers the exciting prospect of applying NMR to the molecular analysis of human genetic disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM051558-02
Application #
2190170
Study Section
Biophysical Chemistry Study Section (BBCB)
Project Start
1994-08-01
Project End
1998-07-31
Budget Start
1995-08-01
Budget End
1996-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
225410919
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637