Crystal structure of zinc-finger domain of Nanos and its functional implications
Hashimoto, H., Hara, K., Hishiki, A., Kawaguchi, S., Shichijo, N., Nakamura, K., Unzai, S., Tamaru, Y., Shimizu, T., Sato, M.(2010) EMBO Rep 11: 848-853
- PubMed: 20948543 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/embor.2010.155
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
3ALR - PubMed Abstract: 
Nanos is an RNA-binding protein that is involved in the development and maintenance of germ cells. In combination with Pumilio, Nanos binds to the 3' untranslated region of a messenger RNA and represses its translation. Nanos has two conserved Cys-Cys-His-Cys zinc-finger motifs that are indispensable for its function. In this study, we have determined the crystal structure of the zinc-finger domain of zebrafish Nanos, for the first time revealing that Nanos adopts a novel zinc-finger structure. In addition, Nanos has a conserved basic surface that is directly involved in RNA binding. Our results provide the structural basis for further studies to clarify Nanos function.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. hash@tsurumi.yokohama-cu.ac.jp