Zinc finger transcription factor Zfp57 recognizes the methylated CpG within the TGCCGC element. We determined the structure of the DNA-binding domain of Zfp57, consisting of two adjacent zinc fingers, in complex with fully methylated DNA at 1.0 Å resolution. The first zinc finger contacts the 5' half (TGC), and the second recognizes the 3' half (CGC) of the recognition sequence. Zfp57 recognize...

Rad18 is a ubiquitin E3 ligase that monoubiquitinates PCNA on stalled replications forks. This allows recruitment of damage-tolerant polymerases for damage bypass and DNA repair. In this activity, the Rad18 protein has to interact with Rad6, the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, ubiquitin, PCNA and DNA. Here we analyze the biochemical interactions of specific domains of the Rad18 protein. We fou...

A proportion of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases result from impaired mutant superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) maturation. The copper chaperone for SOD1 (hCCS) forms a transient complex with SOD1 and catalyses the final stages of its maturation. We find that a neurodegenerative disease-associated hCCS mutation abrogates the interaction with SOD1 by inhibiting hCCS zinc binding. Analogously...

About one-third of the more than 300 C2H2 zinc finger proteins of Drosophila contain a conserved sequence motif, the zinc finger-associated domain (ZAD). Genes that encode ZAD proteins are specific for and expanded in the genomes of insects. Only three ZAD-encoding gene functions are established, and the role of ZAD is unknown. Here we present the crystal structure of the ZAD of Grauzone (ZAD(G...

The experiment was carried out on 90 dairy cows in the period from 6 weeks before calving up to 305th day of lactation. The animals randomly divided into 3 groups were fed with diets containing different chemical forms of zinc, manganese and copper applied in mineral mixtures. The control group received these trace elements as sulphates, but in experimental groups 20 or 30% of daily needs were ...

Thirty 6-yr-old Targhee ewes were randomly allotted to one of five supplemental treatments to evaluate supplementation effects on liver and fecal Zn and Cu concentrations and serum alkaline phosphatase activity: 1) control, 2) Zn complex, 3) Zn and Cu (ZnCu) complex, 4) Zn sulfate, and 5) ZnCu sulfates. Supplements were administered daily in gelatin capsules for 56 d. Liver biopsies and serum s...

Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) from mammals and Drosophila are zinc-dependent enzymes that catalyze N-terminal pyroglutamate formation of numerous proteins and peptides. These enzymes have been found to be critical for the oviposition and embryogenesis of ticks, implying that they are possible physiological targets for tick control. Here, 1.10-1.15 Å resolution structures of a metal-independent QC f...

introduction: osteoporosis as a public health problem affects the quality of life of many postmenopausal women. a high concentration of zinc is found in bones. it works as a cofactor of some key enzymes essential in bone synthesis and reconstruction.having considered the importance of zinc and calcium for healthy bones and also the prevalence of zinc deficiency, this study was designed to deter...