Bromodomain
Encyclopedia
A bromodomain is a protein domain
that recognizes acetylated lysine
residues such as those on the N-terminal tails of histone
s. This recognition is often a prerequisite for protein-histone association and chromatin
remodeling. The domain itself adopts an all-α protein fold, a bundle of four alpha helices
.
by John W. Tamkun and colleagues studying the brm gene, and showed sequence similarity to genes involved in transcriptional activation .
Protein domain
A protein domain is a part of protein sequence and structure that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein chain. Each domain forms a compact three-dimensional structure and often can be independently stable and folded. Many proteins consist of several structural...
that recognizes acetylated lysine
Lysine
Lysine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCH4NH2. It is an essential amino acid, which means that the human body cannot synthesize it. Its codons are AAA and AAG....
residues such as those on the N-terminal tails of histone
Histone
In biology, histones are highly alkaline proteins found in eukaryotic cell nuclei that package and order the DNA into structural units called nucleosomes. They are the chief protein components of chromatin, acting as spools around which DNA winds, and play a role in gene regulation...
s. This recognition is often a prerequisite for protein-histone association and chromatin
Chromatin
Chromatin is the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the contents of the nucleus of a cell. The primary functions of chromatin are; to package DNA into a smaller volume to fit in the cell, to strengthen the DNA to allow mitosis and meiosis and prevent DNA damage, and to control gene...
remodeling. The domain itself adopts an all-α protein fold, a bundle of four alpha helices
Alpha helix
A common motif in the secondary structure of proteins, the alpha helix is a right-handed coiled or spiral conformation, in which every backbone N-H group donates a hydrogen bond to the backbone C=O group of the amino acid four residues earlier...
.
Discovery
The bromodomain was identified as a novel structural motifStructural motif
In a chain-like biological molecule, such as a protein or nucleic acid, a structural motif is a supersecondary structure, which appears also in a variety of other molecules...
by John W. Tamkun and colleagues studying the brm gene, and showed sequence similarity to genes involved in transcriptional activation .