Abstract
Heat-shock transcription factor (HSF) family members function in stress protection and in human diseases including proteopathies, neurodegeneration and cancer. The mechanisms that drive distinct post-translational modifications, cofactor recruitment and target-gene activation for specific HSF paralogs are unknown. We present crystal structures of the human HSF2 DNA-binding domain (DBD) bound to DNA, revealing an unprecedented view of HSFs that provides insights into their unique biology. The HSF2 DBD structures resolve a new C-terminal helix that directs wrapping of the coiled-coil domain around DNA, thereby exposing paralog-specific sequences of the DBD surface for differential post-translational modifications and cofactor interactions. We further demonstrate a direct interaction between HSF1 and HSF2 through their coiled-coil domains. Together, these features provide a new model for HSF structure as the basis for differential and combinatorial regulation, which influences the transcriptional response to cellular stress.
Original language | Undefined/Unknown |
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Pages (from-to) | 147–154 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Nature Structural and Molecular Biology |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |