An atomic model of Zfp57 recognition of CpG methylation within a specific DNA sequence

Zinc finger transcription factor Zfp57 recognizes the methylated CpG within the TGCCGC element. We determined the structure of the DNA-binding domain of Zfp57, consisting of two adjacent zinc fingers, in complex with fully methylated DNA at 1.0 Å resolution. The first zinc finger contacts the 5′ half (TGC), and the second recognizes the 3′ half (CGC) of the recognition sequence. Zfp57 recognizes the two 5-methylcytosines (5mCs) asymmetrically: One involves hydrophobic interactions with Arg178, which also interacts with the neighboring 3′ guanine and forms a 5mC-Arg-G interaction, while the other involves a layer of ordered water molecules. Two point mutations in patients with transient neonatal diabetes abolish DNA-binding activity. Zfp57 has reduced binding affinity for unmodified DNA and the oxidative products of 5mC.