DNA-induced conformational changes are the basis for cooperative dimerization by the DNA binding domain of the retinoid X receptor.

Dimerization of the DNA-binding domains of nuclear hormone receptors occurs in a manner that is highly cooperative with DNA binding. We have investigated the molecular basis for this cooperativity through an NMR study of the interaction between the monomeric DNA-binding domain (DBD) of the retinoid-X-receptor (RXR) and a single DNA half-site. Major changes were observed in the chemical shifts of the backbone resonances and in the pattern of medium-range nuclear Overhauser enhancement connectivities of the RXR upon binding to DNA, indicating that the DNA induces conformational changes in the monomer. Binding to DNA induces and stabilizes the structure in a region of the second zinc binding domain that forms the dimerization interface when RXR binds as a dimer to a direct repeat recognition element. These studies provide direct experimental evidence that DNA-induced protein conformational changes constitute the molecular basis for cooperative enhancement of dimer formation and DNA binding by the nuclear hormone receptor DBDs. In contrast to the localized folding induced in the dimerization interface, DNA binding leads to unfolding of the C-terminal helix found in the free RXR DBD. Unwinding of this helix may facilitate homodimer formation by maximizing interactions between the two DNA-bound RXR domains.