Readout of intrinsic and induced DNA shape by homeodomain transcription factor complexes
Yibei Jiang·Remo Rohs·Alexandra M. Shewchuk·Nicolas Gompel·Jinsen Li·Tsu-Pei Chiu·Judith F. Kribelbauer
Homeodomain transcription factors (TFs) recognize their DNA targets through both sequence-specific base contacts and readout of local DNA shape. While intrinsic DNA structure is encoded by nucleotide sequence, it also undergoes protein-induced structural deformation upon binding. Yet, the interplay between intrinsic and protein-induced DNA shape remains unclear. Here, we dissect how these two readout modes determine binding specificity in a trimeric complex composed of the Drosophila Hox TF Sex