Insights into the NF-?B-DNA Interaction through NMR Spectroscopy

Transcription factors bind specifically to their target elements in the genome, eliciting specific gene expression programs. The nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B) system is a family of proteins comprising inducible transcription activators, which play critical role inflammation and cancer. NF-?B members function as dimers with each monomeric unit binding ?B-DNA. Despite available structures various complex DNA, structural features these nucleic acid-free form are not well-characterized. Using solution NMR spectroscopy, we characterize 73.1 kDa p50 subunit homodimer DNA-free compare it ?B DNA-bound protein. study further reveals that form, two constituent domains p50, N-terminal dimerization domains, structurally independent other. However, both act single unit. also provides insights into mechanism DNA recognition by NF-?B.