DNA - Protein Complex, specific interactions

3D Model

A DNA binding protein, the yeast transcription factor GCN4, bound to its cognate DNA. The protein (green) and DNA (pink) backbones are shown as ribbons. The protein is a dimer, associating via a leucine zipper between two alpha helices. The DNA bases are shown as sticks, with carbon = cyan, oxygen = red, nitrogen = blue and hydrogen = white.

Select protein side chains important in binding the correct DNA binding sequence are also shown as sticks, same colors. The binding surface is shown as a transparent space-filling model of the protein-DNA interactions.