HMG-box


In molecular biology, the HMG-box is a protein domain which is involved in DNA binding.

Structure

The structure of the HMG-box domain contains three alpha helices separated by loops.

Function

HMG-box containing proteins only bind non-B-type DNA conformations with high affinity. HMG-box domains are found in high mobility group proteins, which are involved in the regulation of DNA-dependent processes such as transcription, replication, and DNA repair, all of which require changing the conformation of chromatin.
The single and the double box HMG proteins alter DNA architecture by inducing bends upon binding.