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RNA Binding by Single Zinc Fingers

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Zinc Finger Proteins

Part of the book series: Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit ((MBIU))

Abstract

RNA-protein complexes have important functions in gene expression and regulation. Zinc fingers of the Cys-Cys-His-His (C2H2) class that bind RNA do so via contacts with amino acid side chains in the α-helical portion of the zinc finger, similar to their interaction with DNA. In general, two or more tandem zinc fingers are present in naturally occurring zinc finger proteins. In vitro selection and recombination techniques have isolated single zinc fingers that bind complex RNA structures with high affinity and specificity. These zinc fingers may ultimately find use as pharmaceutical or agricultural agents designed specifically to modify the function of cellular or viral RNA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA

    Martyn K. Darby

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  1. Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Shiro Iuchi

  2. Biological Engineering Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

    Natalie Kuldell

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Darby, M.K. (2005). RNA Binding by Single Zinc Fingers. In: Iuchi, S., Kuldell, N. (eds) Zinc Finger Proteins. Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-27421-9_11

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