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PROSITE documentation PDOC50280 [for PROSITE entry PS50280] |
The SET domain is an 130- to 140-amino acid, evolutionary well conserved sequence motif that was initially characterized in the Drosophila proteins Su(var)3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste and Trithorax. In addition to these chromosomal proteins modulating gene activities and/or chromatin structure, the SET domain is found in proteins of diverse functions ranging from yeast to mammals, but also including some bacteria and viruses [1,2].
The SET domains of mammalian SUV39H1 and 2 and fission yeast clr4 have been shown to be necessary for the methylation of lysine-9 in the histone H3 N-terminus [2]. However, this histone methyltransferase (HMTase) activity is probably restricted to a subset of SET domain proteins as it requires the combination of the SET domain with the adjacent cysteine-rich regions, one located N-terminally (pre-SET) and the other posterior to the SET domain (post-SET). Post- and pre- SET regions seem then to play a crucial role when it comes to substrate recognition and enzymatic activity [7,8].
Structure of the SET domain and the two adjacent regions pre-SET and post-SET have been solved (see <PDB:1ML9>) [3,4,5]. The SET structure is all β, but consists only in sets of few short strands composing no more than a couple of small sheets. Consequently the SET structure is mostly defined by turns and loops. An unusual feature is that the SET core is made up of two discontinual segments of the primary sequence forming an approximate L shape. [6,7,8]. Two of the most conserved motifs in the SET domain are constituted by (1) a stretch at the C-terminal containing a strictly conserved tyrosine residue and (2) a preceding loop inside which the C-terminal segment passes forming a knot-like structure, but not quite a true knot. These two regions have been proven to be essential for SAM binding and catalysis, particularly the invariant tyrosine where in all likelihood catalysis takes place [7,8].
The pre-SET domain forms a triangular zinc cluster where nine cysteines coordinate three zinc atoms. Each zinc ion is coordinated by two unique cysteines and the remaining three cysteines are shared by two zinc atoms serving as a bridge to complete the tetrahedral coordination of the metal. A similar metal cluster is found in methallothioneins.
The PR domain, first noted as the PRDI-BF1-RIZ1 homologous region, is found in a sub-class of zinc finger containing proteins that appear to function as negative regulators of tumorigenesis. Its significant sequence identity with the SET domain has led to suggest that the PR domain is a derivative of SET domain [6].
Some proteins currently known to include a SET or PR domain are listed below:
We have developed a profile that detects both the SET domain and the closely related PR domain. We also developed two other profiles, one specific for the pre-SET domain and the other for the post-SET domain. Each profile covers the whole domain for which it was developed.
Last update:May 2013 / Profile revised.
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PROSITE methods (with tools and information) covered by this documentation:
1 | Authors | Jenuwein T. Laible G. Dorn R. Reuter G. |
Title | SET domain proteins modulate chromatin domains in eu- and heterochromatin. | |
Source | Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 54:80-93(1998). | |
PubMed ID | 9487389 |
2 | Authors | Rea S. Eisenhaber F. O'Carroll D. Strahl B.D. Sun Z.W. Schmid M. Opravil S. Mechtler K. Ponting C.P. Allis C.D. Jenuwein T. |
Title | Regulation of chromatin structure by site-specific histone H3 methyltransferases. | |
Source | Nature 406:593-599(2000). | |
PubMed ID | 10949293 | |
DOI | 10.1038/35020506 |
3 | Authors | Zhang X. Tamaru H. Khan S.I. Horton J.R. Keefe L.J. Selker E.U. Cheng X. |
Title | Structure of the Neurospora SET domain protein DIM-5, a histone H3 lysine methyltransferase. | |
Source | Cell 111:117-127(2002). | |
PubMed ID | 12372305 |
4 | Authors | Wilson J.R. Jing C. Walker P.A. Martin S.R. Howell S.A. Blackburn G.M. Gamblin S.J. Xiao B. |
Title | Crystal structure and functional analysis of the histone methyltransferase SET7/9. | |
Source | Cell 111:105-115(2002). | |
PubMed ID | 12372304 |
5 | Authors | Trievel R.C. Beach B.M. Dirk L.M. Houtz R.L. Hurley J.H. |
Title | Structure and catalytic mechanism of a SET domain protein methyltransferase. | |
Source | Cell 111:91-103(2002). | |
PubMed ID | 12372303 |
6 | Authors | Huang S. Shao G. Liu L. |
Title | The PR domain of the Rb-binding zinc finger protein RIZ1 is a protein binding interface and is related to the SET domain functioning in chromatin-mediated gene expression. | |
Source | J. Biol. Chem. 273:15933-15939(1998). | |
PubMed ID | 9632640 |
7 | Authors | Schubert H.L. Blumenthal R.M. Cheng X. |
Title | Many paths to methyltransfer: a chronicle of convergence. | |
Source | Trends. Biochem. Sci. 28:329-335(2003). | |
PubMed ID | 12826405 |
8 | Authors | Yeates T.O. |
Title | Structures of SET domain proteins: protein lysine methyltransferases make their mark. | |
Source | Cell 111:5-7(2002). | |
PubMed ID | 12372294 |