SNAP output for PDB entry 3pta [SNAP web server]

PDB-id

3pta; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB

Class

transferase-DNA

Method

X-ray (3.6 Å)

Summary

Crystal structure of human dnmt1(646-1600) in complex with DNA

Reference

Song J, Rechkoblit O, Bestor TH, Patel DJ (2011): "Structure of DNMT1-DNA complex reveals a role for autoinhibition in maintenance DNA methylation." Science, 331, 1036-1040. doi: 10.1126/science.1195380.

Abstract

Maintenance of genomic methylation patterns is mediated primarily by DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1). We have solved structures of mouse and human DNMT1 composed of CXXC, tandem bromo-adjacent homology (BAH1/2), and methyltransferase domains bound to DNA-containing unmethylated CpG sites. The CXXC specifically binds to unmethylated CpG dinucleotide and positions the CXXC-BAH1 linker between the DNA and the active site of DNMT1, preventing de novo methylation. In addition, a loop projecting from BAH2 interacts with the target recognition domain (TRD) of the methyltransferase, stabilizing the TRD in a retracted position and preventing it from inserting into the DNA major groove. Our studies identify an autoinhibitory mechanism, in which unmethylated CpG dinucleotides are occluded from the active site to ensure that only hemimethylated CpG dinucleotides undergo methylation.