Biology:Whirly

From HandWiki
Short description: Transcription factor


Whirly
Identifiers
SymbolWhirly
PfamPF08536
InterProIPR013742

In molecular biology, the protein domain Whirly is a transcription factor commonly found in plants. This means they aid the transcription of genes from DNA into a complementary copy of mRNA. In particular, in plants, they aid the transcription of plant defence genes.[1]

Function

The function of Whirly proteins is to regulate the expression of genes that aid defence. They are transcription factors which bind to single stranded DNA in order to regulate gene expression. When a pathogen enters, salicylic acid is released as a signalling molecule which affects Whirly, allowing the expression of defence genes to occur.[1]

Structure

This protein contains 10 beta strands and 2 alpha helices.[2]

History

PBF-2 was the first protein in the Whirly family to be discovered.[1] In the past, the protein has also been named p24.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Whirly transcription factors: defense gene regulation and beyond". Trends Plant Sci. 10 (2): 95–102. February 2005. doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2004.12.008. PMID 15708347. 
  2. "Crystal structures of DNA-Whirly complexes and their role in Arabidopsis organelle genome repair". Plant Cell 22 (6): 1849–67. June 2010. doi:10.1105/tpc.109.071399. PMID 20551348. 
  3. "A new family of plant transcription factors displays a novel ssDNA-binding surface". Nat. Struct. Biol. 9 (7): 512–7. July 2002. doi:10.1038/nsb814. PMID 12080340. 

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