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We are deeply saddened by the passing of Amos Bairoch (1957–2025), the creator of PROSITE. We wish to dedicate our latest paper, published shortly before his death, to him. He will always be a source of inspiration to us.
Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends, and to all those who had the privilege of working with him. Rest in peace, Amos. Your work will live on long after you are gone.
Amos Bairoch

PROSITE documentation PDOC50864
SAND domain profile


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PURL: https://purl.expasy.org/prosite/documentation/PDOC50864

Description

The SAND domain (named after Sp100, AIRE-1, NucP41/75, DEAF-1) is a conserved ~80-residue region found in a number of nuclear proteins, many of which function in chromatin-dependent transcriptional control. These include proteins linked to various human diseases, such as the Sp100 (Speckled protein 100 kDa), NUDR (Nuclear DEAF-1 related), GMEB (Glucocorticoid Modulatory Element Binding) proteins and AIRE-1 (Autoimmune regulator 1) proteins.

Proteins containing the SAND domain have a modular structure; the SAND domain can be associated with a number of other modules, including the bromodomain (see <PDOC00550>), the PHD finger (see <PDOC50016>) and the MYND finger. Because no SAND domain has been found in yeast, it is thought that the SAND domain could be restricted to animal phyla. Many SAND domain-containing proteins, including NUDR, DEAF-1 (Deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1) and GMEB, have been shown to bind DNA sequence-specifically. The SAND domain has been proposed to mediate the DNA binding activity of these proteins [1,2].

The resolution of the 3D structure of the SAND domain from Sp100b has revealed that it consists of a novel α/β fold (see <PDB:1H5P>). The SAND domain adopts a compact fold consisting of a strongly twisted, five-stranded antiparallel β-sheet with four α-helices packing against one side of the β-sheet. The opposite side of the β-sheet is solvent exposed. The β-sheet and α-helical parts of the structure form two distinct regions. Multiple hydrophobic residues pack between these regions to form a structural core. A conserved KDWK sequence motif is found within the α-helical, positively charged surface patch. The DNA binding surface has been mapped to the α-helical region encompassing the KDWK motif [2].

The profile we developed covers the entire SAND domain.

Last update:

July 2002 / First entry.

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Technical section

PROSITE method (with tools and information) covered by this documentation:

SAND, PS50864; SAND domain profile  (MATRIX)


References

1AuthorsGibson T.J. Ramu C. Gemuend C. Aasland R.
TitleThe APECED polyglandular autoimmune syndrome protein, AIRE-1, contains the SAND domain and is probably a transcription factor.
SourceTrends Biochem. Sci. 23:242-244(1998).
PubMed ID9697411

2AuthorsBottomley M.J. Collard M.W. Huggenvik J.I. Liu Z. Gibson T.J. Sattler M.
TitleThe SAND domain structure defines a novel DNA-binding fold in transcriptional regulation.
SourceNat. Struct. Biol. 8:626-633(2001).
PubMed ID11427895
DOI10.1038/89675



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