A helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif predicted for transposases of DNA transposons

Abstract

A helix-turn-helix (HTH) DNA-binding motif is identified in transposase sequences in Tc1, mariner and pogo DNA transposum. The findings are supported by results of various sequence analysis methods. Tc1 transposases are also predicted to contain another DNA-binding region. These findings are in accord with experimental evidence obtained from Tc1A, Tc3A and pogo transposases. The pogo family transposases, but not the pogo-type transcription factors, contain the HTH motif, suggesting that HTH structures are essential for Tc1/mariner/pogo transposition. Analysis of multiple sequence alignments enabled the identification of the HTH motif in distantly related protein sequences.