Structure of the forkhead domain of FOXP2 bound to DNA.

FOXP (FOXP1-4) is a newly defined subfamily of the forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors. A mutation in the FOXP2 forkhead domain cosegregates with a severe speech disorder, whereas several mutations in the FOXP3 forkhead domain are linked to the IPEX syndrome in human and a similar autoimmune phenotype in mice. Here we report a 1.9 A crystal structure of the forkhead domain of human FOXP2 bound to DNA. This structure allows us to revise the previously proposed DNA recognition mechanism and provide a unifying model of DNA binding for the FOX family of proteins. Our studies also reveal that the FOXP2 forkhead domain can form a domain-swapped dimer, made possible by a strategic substitution of a highly conserved proline in conventional FOX proteins with alanine in the P subfamily. Disease-causing mutations in FOXP2 and FOXP3 map either to the DNA binding surface or the domain-swapping dimer interface, functionally corroborating the crystal structure.

Introduction and characterization of a functionally linked metal ion binding site at the exposed heme edge of myoglobin.

A binding site for metal ions has been created on the surface of horse heart myoglobin (Mb) near the heme 6-propionate group by replacing K45 and K63 with glutamyl residues. One-dimensional (1)H NMR spectroscopy indicates that Mn(2+) binds in the vicinity of the heme 6-propionate as anticipated, and potentiometric titrations establish that the affinity of the new site for Mn(2+) is 1.28(4) x 10(4) M(-1) (pH 6.96, ionic strength I = 17.2 microM, 25 degrees C). In addition, these substitutions lower the reduction potential of the protein and increase the pK(a) for the water molecule coordinated to the heme iron of metmyoglobin. The peroxidase [2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ABTS, as substrate] and the Mn(2+)-peroxidase activity of the variant are both increased approximately 3-fold. In contrast to wild-type Mb, both the affinity for azide and the midpoint potential of the variant are significantly influenced by the addition of Mn(2+). The structure of the variant has been determined by x-ray crystallography to define the coordination environment of bound Mn(2+) and Cd(2+). Although slight differences are observed between the geometry of the binding of the two metal ions, both are hexacoordinate, and neither involves coordination by E63.