InterPro domain: IPR036390

Winged helix DNA-binding proteins share a related winged helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif, where the "wings", or loops, are small beta-sheets. The winged helix motif consists of two wings (W1, W2), three alpha helices (H1, H2, H3) and three beta-sheets (S1, S2, S3) arranged in the order H1-S1-H2-H3-S2-W1-S3-W2 [ 1 ]. The DNA-recognition helix makes sequence-specific DNA contacts with the major groove of DNA, while the wings make different DNA contacts, often with the minor groove or the backbone of DNA. Several winged-helix proteins display an exposed patch of hydrophobic residues thought to mediate protein-protein interactions.

1. Winged helix proteins. Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 10, 110-6