High-resolution structure of the HNF-1α dimerization domain

The N-terminal dimerization domain of the transcriptional activator hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha (HNF-1 alpha) is essential for DNA binding and association of the transcriptional coactivator, DCoH (dimerization cofactor of HNF-1). To investigate the basis for dimerization of HNF-1 proteins, we determined the 1.2 Angstrom resolution X-ray crystal structure of the dimerization domain of HNF-1 alpha (HNF-p1). Phasing was facilitated by devising a simple synthesis for Fmoc-selenomethionine and substituting leucine residues with selenomethionine. The HNF-1 dimerization domain forms a unique, four-helix bundle that is preserved with localized conformational shifts in the DCoH complex. In three different crystal forms, HNF-p1 displays subtle shifts in the conformation of the interhelix loop and the crossing angle between the amino- and carboxyl-terminal helices. In all three crystal forms, the HNF-p1 dimers pair through an exposed hydrophobic surface that also forms the binding site for DCoH. Conserved core residues in the dimerization domain of the homologous transcriptional regulator HNF-1 beta rationalize the functional heterodimerization of the HNF-1 alpha and HNF-1 beta proteins. Mutations in HNF-1 alpha are associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3 (MODY3), and the structure of HNF-p1 provides insights into the effects of three MODY3 mutations.