A Switch between Two Intrinsically Disordered Conformational Ensembles Modulates the Active Site of a Basic-Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor.

ABSTRACT: We report a conformational switch between two distinct intrinsically disordered subensembles within the active site of a transcription factor. This switch highlights an evolutionary benefit conferred by the high plasticity of intrinsically disordered domains, namely, their potential to dynamically sample a heterogeneous conformational space housing multiple states with tailored properties. We focus on proto-oncogenic basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-type transcription factors, as these play key roles in cell regulation and function. Despite intense research efforts, the understanding of structure-function relations of these transcription factors remains incomplete as they feature intrinsically disordered DNA-interaction domains that are difficult to characterize, theoretically as well as expe

SUBMITTER: Sicoli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7649839 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature