PMID: 15902274 , Related PDB ids: 2BFQ, 2BFR

Authors:

Karras GI, Kustatscher G, Buhecha HR, Allen MD, Pugieux C, Sait F, Bycroft M, Ladurner AG

Title:

The macro domain is an ADP-ribose binding module.

Journal:

EMBO J. 2005 Jun 1;24(11):1911-20. Epub 2005 May 19.

Abstract:

The ADP-ribosylation of proteins is an important post-translational modification that occurs in a variety of biological processes, including DNA repair, transcription, chromatin biology and long-term memory formation. Yet no protein modules are known that specifically recognize the ADP-ribose nucleotide. We provide biochemical and structural evidence that macro domains are high-affinity ADP-ribose binding modules. Our structural analysis reveals a conserved ligand binding pocket among the macro domain fold. Consistently, distinct human macro domains retain their ability to bind ADP-ribose. In addition, some macro domain proteins also recognize poly-ADP-ribose as a ligand. Our data suggest an important role for proteins containing macro domains in the biology of ADP-ribose.