InterPro domain: IPR004875

Proteins containing this domain are probably endonucleases of the DDE superfamily. This domain contains three carboxylate residues that are believed to be responsible for coordinating metal ions needed for catalysis. The catalytic activity of this enzyme involves DNA cleavage at a specific site followed by a strand transfer reaction. Proteins containing this domain include tigger transposable element derived proteins from mammals [ 1 ] and protein Pdc2 from budding yeasts [ 2 ]. Interestingly, proteins conatining this domain also includes the Centromere Protein B (CENP-B) protein, which appears to have lost the metal binding residues in this domain and is unlikely to have endonuclease activity. CENP-B is a an inner kinetochore protein that binds to a specific centromere sequence [ 3 ].

1. Isolation and characterization of a Jerky and JRK/JH8 like gene, tigger transposable element derived 7, TIGD7. Biochem. Genet. 42, 279-85
2. Facilitated recruitment of Pdc2p, a yeast transcriptional activator, in response to thiamin starvation. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 330, 140-7
3. Assembly of the inner kinetochore proteins CENP-A and CENP-B in living human cells. Chembiochem 9, 77-92