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Zinc Finger Domain
Definition and Synonyms

Definition: The Zinc Finger Domain is found in many proteins that bind nucleic acids, typically DNA binding transcription factors. There are several classes of Zn finger proteins. Some bind Zn with only Cys residues (e.g., nuclear receptor superfamily) while others coordinate Zn with Cys and His residues. In the 25-amino acid C2H2 type motif, Zn2+ is held between a pair of anti-parallel beta strands and a single alpha helix by a pair of invariant Cys and His residues. The Cys/His type proteins generally contain repeated units and bind DNA as a monomer, while Cys/Cys proteins contain two units that bind inverted DNA repeats as homo- or heterodimers. In some Cys/Cys types the Zn ion folds the involved region into a globular structure that binds DNA. (NCI)

Synonyms: Zinc Finger Domain, Zinc Finger

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