Structural basis for sequence-specific DNA recognition by an Arabidopsis WRKY transcription factor

J Biol Chem. 2012 Mar 2;287(10):7683-91. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.279844. Epub 2012 Jan 4.

Abstract

The WRKY family transcription factors regulate plant-specific reactions that are mostly related to biotic and abiotic stresses. They share the WRKY domain, which recognizes a DNA element (TTGAC(C/T)) termed the W-box, in target genes. Here, we determined the solution structure of the C-terminal WRKY domain of Arabidopsis WRKY4 in complex with the W-box DNA by NMR. A four-stranded β-sheet enters the major groove of DNA in an atypical mode termed the β-wedge, where the sheet is nearly perpendicular to the DNA helical axis. Residues in the conserved WRKYGQK motif contact DNA bases mainly through extensive apolar contacts with thymine methyl groups. The importance of these contacts was verified by substituting the relevant T bases with U and by surface plasmon resonance analyses of DNA binding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Arabidopsis / chemistry*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / chemistry*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA, Plant / chemistry*
  • DNA, Plant / metabolism
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • DNA, Plant
  • Transcription Factors
  • WRKY4 protein, Arabidopsis

Associated data

  • PDB/2LEX