ATR-X (alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation, X-linked) syndrome is a human congenital disorder that causes severe intellectual disabilities. Mutations in the ATRX gene, which encodes an ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeler, are responsible for the syndrome. Approximately 50% of the missense mutations in affected persons are clustered in a cysteine-rich domain termed ADD (ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L, ADD(ATRX)), whose function has remained elusive. Here we identify ADD(ATRX) as a previously unknown histone H3-binding module, whose binding is promoted by lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) but inhibited by lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3). The cocrystal structure of ADD(ATRX) bound to H3(1-15)K9me3 peptide reveals an atypical composite H3K9me3-binding pocket, which is distinct from the conventional trimethyllysine-binding aromatic cage. Notably, H3K9me3-pocket mutants and ATR-X syndrome mutants are defective in both H3K9me3 binding and localization at pericentromeric heterochromatin; thus, we have discovered a unique histone-recognition mechanism underlying the ATR-X etiology.
Pubmed ID: 21666679 RIS Download
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A contract research organization providing drug development and animal testing services. Under the name Covance Research Products Inc., based in Denver, Pennsylvania, the company also deals in the import, breeding and sale of laboratory animals. It breeds dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, non-human primates, and pigs, and runs the largest non-human primate laboratory in Germany. (Wikipedia)
View all literature mentionsA Python-based software suite for the automated determination of molecular structures using X-ray crystallography and other methods. Phenix includes programs for assessing data quality, experimental phasing, molecular replacement, model building, structure refinement, and validation. It also includes tools for reflection data and creating maps and models. Phenix can also be used for neutron crystallography. Tutorials and examples are available in the documentation tab.
View all literature mentionsPortal for Macromolecular X-Ray Crystallography to produce and support an integrated suite of programs that allows researchers to determine macromolecular structures by X-ray crystallography, and other biophysical techniques. Used in the education and training of scientists in experimental structural biology for determination and analysis of protein structure.
View all literature mentionsCell line HeLa is a Cancer cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens
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