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PROSITE documentation PDOC50809 |
The DM (Doublesex/Mab-3) domain is found in proteins from worm to mammals. Null mutation in DM domain containing proteins doublesex and mab-3 are associated with intersexual phenotypes. These proteins are believed to function as transcription factors on downstream sex-determination genes, especially on neuroblast differenciation and yolk protein genes transcription [1,2].
The DM domain binds DNA as a dimer, allowing the recognition of pseudopalindromic sequences [3,4,5]. The NMR analysis of the DSX DM domain [5] revealed a novel zinc module containing 'intertwined' CCHC and HCCC zinc-binding sites. The recognition of the DNA requires the carboxy-terminal basic tail which contacts the minor groove of the target sequence.
The way the 'intertwined' motif is binding two atoms of zinc is illustrated in the following schematic representation:
x x basic tail x x x Cter x x x x H C x x \ / x x x Zn x Nter x x x x x x x x x C x x C / \ x x \ / C x C x Zn x x / \ x HxxxC x
'C': conserved cysteine involved in zinc binding. 'H': conserved histidine involved in zinc binding. 'Zn': zinc atom.
Some of the proteins containing a DM domain are listed below.
As a signature pattern for the DM domain, we selected the six cysteines and the two histidines of the zinc module. We also developed a profile that covers the whole DM domain.
Last update:December 2001 / First entry.
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PROSITE methods (with tools and information) covered by this documentation:
1 | Authors | Burtis K.C. Coschigano K.T. Baker B.S. Wensink P.C. |
Title | The doublesex proteins of Drosophila melanogaster bind directly to a sex-specific yolk protein gene enhancer. | |
Source | EMBO J. 10:2577-2582(1991). | |
PubMed ID | 1907913 |
2 | Authors | Shen M.M. Hodgkin J. |
Title | mab-3, a gene required for sex-specific yolk protein expression and a male-specific lineage in C. elegans. | |
Source | Cell 54:1019-1031(1988). | |
PubMed ID | 3046751 |
3 | Authors | Erdman S.E. Chen H.J. Burtis K.C. |
Title | Functional and genetic characterization of the oligomerization and DNA binding properties of the Drosophila doublesex proteins. | |
Source | Genetics 144:1639-1652(1996). | |
PubMed ID | 8978051 |
4 | Authors | Yi W. Zarkower D. |
Title | Similarity of DNA binding and transcriptional regulation by Caenorhabditis elegans MAB-3 and Drosophila melanogaster DSX suggests conservation of sex determining mechanisms. | |
Source | Development 126:873-881(1999). | |
PubMed ID | 9927589 |
5 | Authors | Zhu L. Wilken J. Phillips N.B. Narendra U. Chan G. Stratton S.M. Kent S.B. Weiss M.A. |
Title | Sexual dimorphism in diverse metazoans is regulated by a novel class of intertwined zinc fingers. | |
Source | Genes Dev. 14:1750-1764(2000). | |
PubMed ID | 10898790 |