Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) consist of:
Zinc finger nucleases represent first generation programmable nucleases fusing custom DNA recognition to cleavage effector. Each ZFN monomer architecture includes tandem array of Cys2-His2 zinc finger motifs originally derived from transcription factor Zif268 and Sp1, each finger ~30 amino acids folded into beta-beta-alpha structure where Zn2+ tetrahedrally coordinated by two cysteines in beta hairpin and two histidines in alpha helix stabilizing domain. Recognition helix positions -1 to 6 contact major groove bases via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals contacts. Array of three to six fingers r
Ref: Kim et al. PNAS 1996 ZFN; Carroll Annu Rev Biochem 2014 ZFN; Chandrasegaran 2016.