Motivation: Human Nbs1 and its homolog Xrs2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are part of the conserved MRN complex (MRX in yeast) which plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic stability. NBS1 corresponds to the gene mutated in the Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) known as a radiation hyper-sensitive disease. Despite the conservation and the importance of the MRN complex, the high sequence divergence between Nbs1 and Xrs2 precluded the identification of common domains downstream of the N-terminal Fork-Head Associated (FHA) domain.

Results: Using HMM-HMM profile comparisons and structure modelling, we assessed the existence of a tandem BRCT in both Nbs1 and Xrs2 after the FHA. The structure-based conservation analysis of the tandem BRCT in Nbs1 supports its function as a phosphoserine binding domain. Remarkably, the 5 bp deletion observed in 95% of NBS patients cleaves the tandem at the linker region while preserving the structural integrity of each BRCT domain in the resulting truncated gene products.

• PMID: 16522671
• DOI full text
• PubMed
• PubTator

Reference Type

Journal Article | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Authors

Becker E, Meyer V, Madaoui H, Guerois R

Primary Lit For

Additional Lit For

Review For