Summary information and primary citation

PDB-id
1p7d; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB
Class
DNA binding protein-DNA
Method
X-ray (2.95 Å)
Summary
Crystal structure of the lambda integrase (residues 75-356) bound to DNA
Reference
Aihara H, Kwon HJ, Nunes-Duby SE, Landy A, Ellenberger T (2003): "A Conformational Switch Controls the DNA Cleavage Activity of Lambda Integrase." Mol.Cell, 12, 187-198. doi: 10.1016/S1097-2765(03)00268-5.
Abstract
The bacteriophage lambda integrase protein (lambda Int) belongs to a family of tyrosine recombinases that catalyze DNA rearrangements. We have determined a crystal structure of lambda Int complexed with a cleaved DNA substrate through a covalent phosphotyrosine bond. In comparison to an earlier unliganded structure, we observe a drastic conformational change in DNA-bound lambda Int that brings Tyr342 into the active site for cleavage of the DNA in cis. A flexible linker connects the central and the catalytic domains, allowing the protein to encircle the DNA. Binding specificity is achieved through direct interactions with the DNA and indirect readout of the flexibility of the att site. The conformational switch that activates lambda Int for DNA cleavage exposes the C-terminal 8 residues for interactions with a neighboring Int molecule. The protein interactions mediated by lambda Int's C-terminal tail offer a mechanism for the allosteric control of cleavage activity in higher order lambda Int complexes.

Cartoon-block schematics in six views (download the tarball)

PyMOL session file Download PDB file View in 3Dmol.js