Molecular basis of metal-ion selectivity and zeptomolar sensitivity by CueR
Changela, A., Chen, K., Xue, Y., Holschen, J., Outten, C.E., O'Halloran, T.V., Mondragon, A.(2003) Science 301: 1383-1387
- PubMed: 12958362 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1085950
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1Q05, 1Q06, 1Q07, 1Q08, 1Q09, 1Q0A - PubMed Abstract: 
The earliest of a series of copper efflux genes in Escherichia coli are controlled by CueR, a member of the MerR family of transcriptional activators. Thermodynamic calibration of CueR reveals a zeptomolar (10(-21) molar) sensitivity to free Cu+, which is far less than one atom per cell. Atomic details of this extraordinary sensitivity and selectivity for +1transition-metal ions are revealed by comparing the crystal structures of CueR and a Zn2+-sensing homolog, ZntR. An unusual buried metal-receptor site in CueR restricts the metal to a linear, two-coordinate geometry and uses helix-dipole and hydrogen-bonding interactions to enhance metal binding. This binding mode is rare among metalloproteins but well suited for an ultrasensitive genetic switch.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, 2205Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.