The DDT has been named after the better characterized DNA-binding homeobox-containing proteins and the Different Transcription and chromatin remodeling factors in which it is found. It is a domain of about 60 amino acids which is exclusively associated with nuclear domains like AT-Hook (see <PDOC00306>), PHD finger (see <PDOC50016>), methyl-CpG-binding domain, bromodomain (see <PDOC00550>) and DNA-binding homeodomain (see <PDOC00027>).

The DDT domain is characterized by a number of conserved aromatic and charged residues and is predicted to consist of three α helices. A DNA-binding function for the DDT domain has been proposed [1].

Proteins known to contain a DDT domain are listed below:

• Bromodomain PHD finger transcription factors (BPTFs) from Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and human. The human protein FALZ or FAC1 is believed to play arole in Alzheimer's disease.
• Chromatin remodeling factors of the BAZ (bromodomain adjacent to zinc finger proteins)-family from Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and human. The human BAZ protein WSTF is implicated in Wiliams Syndrome, a complex developmental disorder with multisystemic defects.
• Homeodomain-containing proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana.
• Hypothetical PHD-domain-containing protein from Arabidopsis thaliana.

The profile we developed covers the entire DDT domain.