NAC (NAM/ATAF/CUC) plant transcription factors regulate essential processes in development, stress responses and nutrient distribution in important crop and model plants (rice, Populus, Arabidopsis), which makes them highly relevant in the context of crop optimization and bioenergy production. The structure of the DNA-binding NAC domain of ANAC019 has previously been determined by X-ray crystallography, revealing a dimeric and predominantly β-fold structure, but the mode of binding to cognate DNA has remained elusive. In the present study, information from low resolution X-ray structures and small angle X-ray scattering on complexes with oligonucleotides, mutagenesis and (DNase I and uranyl photo-) footprinting, is combined to form a structural view of DNA-binding, and for the first time provide experimental evidence for the speculated relationship between plant-specific NAC proteins, WRKY transcription factors and the mammalian GCM (Glial cell missing) transcription factors, which all use a β-strand motif for DNA-binding. The structure shows that the NAC domain inserts the edge of its core β-sheet into the major groove, while leaving the DNA largely undistorted. The structure of the NAC–DNA complex and a new crystal form of the unbound NAC also indicate limited flexibility of the NAC dimer arrangement, which could be important in recognizing suboptimal binding sites.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
June 2012
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
- PDF Icon PDF LinkEditorial Board
Research Article|
May 29 2012
DNA binding by the plant-specific NAC transcription factors in crystal and solution: a firm link to WRKY and GCM transcription factors
Ditte H. Welner;
Ditte H. Welner
*Biophysical Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Search for other works by this author on:
Søren Lindemose;
Søren Lindemose
†Section for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Search for other works by this author on:
J. Günter Grossmann;
J. Günter Grossmann
‡Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, The University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Niels Erik Møllegaard;
Niels Erik Møllegaard
§Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Search for other works by this author on:
Addie N. Olsen;
Addie N. Olsen
†Section for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Search for other works by this author on:
Charlotte Helgstrand;
Charlotte Helgstrand
*Biophysical Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Search for other works by this author on:
Karen Skriver;
Karen Skriver
†Section for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Search for other works by this author on:
Leila Lo Leggio
Leila Lo Leggio
1
*Biophysical Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email leila@chem.ku.dk).
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
October 14 2011
Revision Received:
March 27 2012
Accepted:
March 29 2012
Accepted Manuscript online:
March 29 2012
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2012 Biochemical Society
2012
Biochem J (2012) 444 (3): 395–404.
Article history
Received:
October 14 2011
Revision Received:
March 27 2012
Accepted:
March 29 2012
Accepted Manuscript online:
March 29 2012
Citation
Ditte H. Welner, Søren Lindemose, J. Günter Grossmann, Niels Erik Møllegaard, Addie N. Olsen, Charlotte Helgstrand, Karen Skriver, Leila Lo Leggio; DNA binding by the plant-specific NAC transcription factors in crystal and solution: a firm link to WRKY and GCM transcription factors. Biochem J 15 June 2012; 444 (3): 395–404. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20111742
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.