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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Structure of Aart, a designed six-finger zinc finger peptide, bound to DNA.

Cys2-His2 zinc fingers are one of the most common types of DNA-binding domains. Modifications to zinc-finger binding specificity have recently enabled custom DNA-binding proteins to be designed to a wide array of target sequences. We present here a 1.96 A structure of Aart, a designed six-zinc finger protein, bound to a consensus DNA target site. This is the first structure of a designed protein with six fingers, and was intended to provide insights into the unusual affinity and specificity characteristics of this protein. Most protein-DNA contacts were found to be consistent with expectations, while others were unanticipated or insufficient to explain specificity. Several were unexpectedly mediated by glycerol, water molecules or amino acid-base stacking interactions. These results challenge some conventional concepts of recognition, particularly the finding that triplets containing 5'A, C, or T are typically not specified by direct interaction with the amino acid in position 6 of the recognition helix.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Identification of human GC-box-binding zinc finger protein, a new Krüppel-like zinc finger protein, by the yeast one-hybrid screening with a GC-rich target sequence.

A new human zinc finger DNA-binding protein was identified by using a yeast one-hybrid selection system. Two versions of the cDNA, encoding the same protein, were detected that differ for a 584 bp extension at the 5' region. Sequence analysis showed that the longer clone is a full length version containing part of the 5' untranslated region. The smaller version was fused in frame with the yeast GAL4 activation domain whereas the 5' region of the longer clone displayed a stop codon interrupting the fusion with the GAL4 domain. Nevertheless, this clone activated the yeast HIS3 reporter gene with the same efficiency as the smaller version. Sequence comparison of the derived protein with the database showed that it belongs to a family of zinc finger DNA-binding proteins which regulate the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation. Expression of the protein in an in vitro system, DNA-binding studies and genetic experiments identify this factor as a new zinc finger DNA-binding protein which binds GC-rich sequences and contains a domain probably functioning as a transcriptional activator. The new human protein identified in this study was therefore named GC-box-binding zinc finger protein).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Qualitative features of finger movement during the Halstead finger oscillation test following traumatic brain injury.

Qualitative and quantitative performance on the Halstead Finger Tapping test may help differentiate brain dysfunctional patients from normal controls. "Normal" and "abnormal" finger tapping patterns during this task have been characterized and illustrated pictorially. Data from 65 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 15 normal controls support the dual proposition that (1) abnormal finger tapping patterns are more commonly observed in TBI patients than in controls and (2) the frequency of abnormal finger movements may relate to the severity of TBI during the acute stages after trauma. Future prospective studies are needed to replicate these findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A class of zinc fingers involved in protein-protein interactions biophysical characterization of CCHC fingers from fog and U-shaped.

Zinc fingers (ZnFs) are extremely common protein domains. Several classes of ZnFs are distinguished by the nature and spacing of their zinc-coordinating residues. While the structure and function of some ZnFs are well characterized, many others have been identified only through their amino acid sequence. A number of proteins contain a conserved C-X2-C-X12-H-X1-5-C sequence, which is similar to the spacing observed for the 'classic' CCHH ZnFs. Although these domains have been implicated in protein-protein (and not protein-nucleic acid) interactions, nothing is known about their structure or function at a molecular level. Here, we address this problem through the expression and biophysical characterization of several CCHC-type zinc fingers from the erythroid transcription factor FOG and the related Drosophila protein U-shaped. Each of these domains does indeed fold in a zinc-dependent fashion, coordinating the metal in a tetrahedral manner through the sidechains of one histidine and three cysteine residues, and forming extremely thermostable structures. Analysis of CD spectra suggests an overall fold similar to that of the CCHH fingers, and indeed a point mutant of FOG-F1 in which the final cysteine residue is replaced by histidine remains capable of folding. However, the CCHC (as opposed to CCHH) motif is a prerequisite for GATA-1 binding activity, demonstrating that CCHC and CCHH topologies are not interchangeable. This demonstration that members of a structurally distinct subclass of genuine zinc finger domains are involved in the mediation of protein-protein interactions has implications for the prediction of protein function from nucleotide sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

[Ulnar sesamoid bone of the small finger causing painful trigger finger].

We report on a 38-year-old woman suffering from painful trigger finger. Contrary to the expected intraoperative finding of a simple stenosing pulley and ganglion cyst on a thickened flexor tendon sheath, we found fibrotic cords between an abnormal ulnar sesamoid bone at the fifth finger and the A1-pulley to be responsible for distortion of the tendon sheath and a consecutive "klicking"-phenomenon. A coherence between sesamoid bones and trigger finger has repeatedly been found on the thumb but there is no such description regarding the long fingers.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The zinc finger antiviral protein directly binds to specific viral mRNAs through the CCCH zinc finger motifs.

The zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) is a recently isolated host antiviral factor. It specifically inhibits the replication of Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) and Sindbis virus (SIN) by preventing the accumulation of viral RNA in the cytoplasm. For this report, we mapped the viral sequences that are sensitive to ZAP inhibition. The viral sequences were cloned into a luciferase reporter and analyzed for the ability to mediate ZAP-dependent destabilization of the reporter. The sensitive sequence in MLV was mapped to the 3' long terminal repeat; the sensitive sequences in SIN were mapped to multiple fragments. The fragment of SIN that displayed the highest destabilizing activity was further analyzed by deletion mutagenesis for the minimal sequence that retained the activity. This led to the identification of a fragment of 653 nucleotides. Any further deletion of this fragment resulted in significantly lower activity. We provide evidence that ZAP directly binds to the active but not the inactive fragments. The CCCH zinc finger motifs of ZAP play important roles in RNA binding and antiviral activity. Disruption of the second and fourth zinc fingers abolished ZAP's activity, whereas disruption of the first and third fingers just slightly lowered its activity.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed1992

Characteristics of physiological tremor in five fingers and evaluations of fatigue of fingers in typing.

Physiological tremor, which is the invisible mechanical vibration of body part, was measured for five fingers. It was obtained that the power spectrum always has two peaks at 10 and 25Hz for each of the five fingers. The peaks were considered to be generated in the following two loop systems: The component of the lower frequency originated from the central nervous system as a long loop, and that of the higher frequency originated from the muscle-spine loop system as a short loop. The total power, which was the sum of power spectra ranging from 1.5 to 50Hz, was defined as an evaluation index, and it showed characteristic results for the five fingers. The muscular load produced by two hours of typing work was responsible mainly for the increase of total power and for the change of peak frequencies. The mechanism for the change of the power spectrum due to muscular load was well explained by the two-loop theory. It was found that the fatigue of the fingers due to muscular load could be evaluated by the total power.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Finger skin temperature and laser-Doppler finger blood flow in subjects exposed to hand-arm vibration.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to assess the peripheral circulatory functions of forestry workers exposed to hand-arm vibration, using simultaneous measurements of finger skin temperature (FST) and finger blood flow (FBF). METHODS: The subjects were five men with vibration-induced white finger (VWF), four subjects with numbness in their hands and five exposed controls without any signs or symptoms related to vibration syndrome. Simultaneous measurements of FST and laser-Doppler FBF were performed before, during and following a 10-min recovery period after the hand was immersed in cold water (10 degrees C, 10 min). Partitional measurements of finger blood flows could be made between the capillaries and deeply located vessels using two laser-Doppler flow probes having narrower and wider optic fiber separations. RESULTS: The FST as well as the FBF of the capillary and deeply located vessels during and following the cold immersion test in those with VWF and in the subjects with numbness had a slight increase immediately following the cold immersion and no tendency to be augmented as the time span increased. After the cold immersion test, the control group had significantly greater FST and FBF compared to other groups. Particularly, from the 5th to the 10th min after the cold provocation, the values of FBF of the deeply located vessels in those with VWF were significantly lower than the controls. During the course of observation, the FST had significantly linear relationship with the recorded capillary and deep FBF values, and that was much closely correlated with the deep FBF (i.e., P < 0.01 in each selected condition). The slope of the regression lines in the capillary were steeper and shallow in the deep FBF. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the measurement of capillary FBF, more detailed and accurate information on the peripheral circulatory functions of vibration-exposed subjects can be obtained by including the assessment of the deep FBF.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of finger skin temperature by cold provocation test for diagnosis of vibration induced white finger (VWF).

Clinical data of workers (40-69 yrs) operating chain saws for a ten-year period from 1986 to 1995 were analyzed to assess the evaluation standard of finger skin temperature for a cold provocation test (10 degrees C 10 min). Screening points of finger skin temperature for screening 191 workers with a vibration induced white finger (VWF) were obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The screening points at 5 min and 10 min after a cold provocation were approximately equal to 50th percentiles of 217 workers with no symptoms (NS group). The screening points of recovery rates at 5 min and 10 min after a cold provocation almost agreed with 50th percentiles in NS group. A new evaluation standard was prepared in reference to these screening points and finger skin temperatures by fraction in NS group. The new one will be useful for the health care of workers operating vibrating tools under present working conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Finger thermometry in the assessment of subjects with vibration-induced white finger.

The measurement of finger skin temperature (FST) is one of the most commonly used methods for evaluating the response of the digital vessels to cold stimulation. In well-controlled experiments a significant correlation has been observed between FST and digital blood flow over a wide range of water temperatures. On the contrary, FST in air is considered an inadequate index of digital skin circulation since, at a given ambient temperature, FST depends not only on the rate of blood flow through the digit but also on environmental conditions. Despite these limitations, FST recording after a cooling procedure has been used in surveys of vibration-induced white finger (VWF), and a delayed finger rewarming time has been proposed as an indicator of digital vasospasm in workers with VWF. Finger skin thermometry can differentiate between VWF groups and healthy groups, but it is unsuitable for diagnosing Raynaud's phenomenon on an individual basis. The thermometric method has good specificity but its sensitivity is lower than that of plethysmographic techniques. FST after cold provocation may be considered a useful screening test in field studies, while more sensitive methods should be employed to confirm VWF symptoms in individuals objectively, especially for insurance compensation purposes.

Fingers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Volar flexion of the fingers. Its value in diagnosis of leprous paralysis of the intrinsic muscles of the fingers and in the study of the results of palliative interventions].

Active metacarpophalangeal flexion with simultaneous active extension of interphalangeal joints places the fingers in the position in preparation for prehension. This volar flexion of the fingers is due to the action of their intrinsic muscles, and this movement, which is irreplaceable, has been used by the author for the last twenty years as a specific exploratory test of intrinsic finger muscles. It can be investigated as an emergency procedure in cases of ulnar nerve wounds at the elbow or injury to the upper forearm before suture, and clearly demonstrates the presence of an ulnar claw hand. It is a very sensitive test since this position potentiates an ulnar claw hand in its early stage which would have passed unnoticed with fingers extended. This rapid examination is particularly valid during neurologic investigation of the hand in lepers in countries where this disease is endemic, and it forms part of the 10 tests that the author has selected for exploration, within 2 or 3 minutes, in a standing patient, of the facial, ulnar, median, superficial peroneal and posterior tibial nerves. The test is also the most effective evaluation criterion of palliative surgery for claw hand which to be considered as successful must restore volar flexion, as shown by a personal series of over 200 operated hands.

Finger Joint↗
PubMed1990

Alternative splicing of the Evi-1 zinc finger gene generates mRNAs which differ by the number of zinc finger motifs.

Evi-1 is a common integration site for endogenous ecotropic virus in myeloid leukemias of the AKXD mouse strain. This gene encodes a zinc finger protein with ten finger motifs. Myeloblastic leukemias obtained after infection with F-MuLV frequently exhibit proviral integration in the Fim-3 region which is genetically linked to Evi-1. This proviral integration always results in the expression of two mRNA transcripts, 5.7 kb and 4.7 kb long. We isolated two classes of cDNAs from a myeloblastic cell line with a F-MuLV provirus integrated in Fim-3. By sequence analysis, we found that one Evi-1 cDNA (E29) had an internal deletion of 972 nucleotides when compared to the full-length sequence previously published by Morishita et al. (1988). This deletion eliminated the 6th and 7th Evi-1 finger domains and was bordered by consensus donor and acceptor splice sequences. The E29 clone most likely resulted from alternative splicing of the Evi-1 gene. This was confirmed by Northern blot analysis and S1 mapping experiments. Therefore, the Evi-1 gene codes potentially for at least two proteins of 1042 and 718 amino acids differing in the numbers of their zinc-finger motifs.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

"Rugby finger"--avulsion of profundus of ring finger.

The results of tendon grafting following avulsion of the profundus tendon to the ring finger ("Rugby finger") are described. Function in the hand was improved in all cases and this is a method of treatment which should be considered by the surgeon experienced in tendon grafting in those patients who are young and well motivated. The exact reason for the common involvement of the ring finger is not clear but the unique lumbrical origin from that profundus may be an important factor tethering the tendon in the palm, and this is suggested as the possible cause of this injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Thumb and finger reconstruction by anastomosing the digital arteries of the toe to finger transplant].

In a series of 295 cases of toe-to-finger reconstruction, 30 cases with 40 digits were reconstructed by arterial anastomosis between digital arteries of the toe transplant and the recipient thumb or fingertoe. Among them 5 thumbs were reconstructed by the distal segment of the big toe. 11 thumbs (10 cases), 15 fingers (8 cases) and 1 case with concomitant thumb and 3 fingers were reconstructed by toe transfer. Six cases of thumb pulp defect were also reconstructed by the big toe pulp transfer. The anastomosis of digital arteries instead of dorsalis pedis artery and radial artery and saphenous vein with cephali vein to re-establish circulation is an innovation and has the advantages of simplifying the operative procedure, minimizing operative trauma, reducing operation time, attenuating patients suffering, and obtaining good appearance and function after reconstruction. Besides the operation would not be hindered by anatomical variations of the artery and would reduce blood supply disturbance of the donor foot.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1976

Patterns of movement of totally intrinsic-minus fingers based on a study of one hundred and forty-one fingers.

A detailed study of metacarpophalangeal flexion and interphalangeal extension movements of 141 fingers with complete intrinsic-muscle paralysis due to leprosy showed that long flexors and long extensors produce movement at the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints simultaneously, and not successively as is generally believed. The amounts of flexion resulting from long flexor activity are almost equal at the two joints and metacarpophalangeal flexion is achieved without excessive flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint, but this is masked by the claw-finger deformity. The movement resulting from activity of the long extensor is complex and there are three or more qualitatively different patterns of extension. Although the long extensor produces simultaneous extension at the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints, the latter consistently lags behind the former so that full extension is not achieved at the proximal interphalangeal joint even when the metacarpophalangeal joint is maximally extended. The diverse patterns of extension are not related to duration of degree of clawing or to any particular finger.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

NMR identification of heavy metal-binding sites in a synthetic zinc finger peptide: toxicological implications for the interactions of xenobiotic metals with zinc finger proteins.

Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are toxic and interfere with protein metal-binding sites. The Cys(2)/His(2) zinc finger is a structural motif required for sequence-specific DNA binding and is present in zinc finger transcription factors (ZFP): Sp1, Egr-1, and TFIIIA. Neurotoxic studies have shown that heavy metals directly inhibit the DNA binding of ZFP and result in adverse cellular effects. Recently, we demonstrated the ability of heavy metals to alter the DNA binding of a synthetic Cys(2)/His(2) finger peptide (Razmiafshari and Zawia, Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 166, 1-12, 2000). To determine the precise site of interactions between heavy metals and this protein domain, Pb, Hg, Cd, and Ca were reconstituted with the synthetic apopeptide and studied by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. In the presence of Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb, but not Ca, distinct peptide NMR signal changes in the aliphatic region were observed and attributed to metal-cystiene interactions. However, chemical shifts indicative of metal-histidine binding were elicited by all the metals in the peptide's aromatic region. Chemical shift assignments and sequential connectivity were established in the presence and absence of Zn, Pb, and Ca through TOCSY and NOESY spectra. Cysteine and histidine residues showed a distinct change in their amide and beta resonances in the presence of Zn and Pb, suggesting the metal-ligand binding sites were near these residues. However, Ca led to no significant spectral changes in these regions, suggesting that it is not actively involved in the binding site. These studies reveal this structure as a mediator of metal-induced alterations in protein function.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1987

Inhibitory effect of acupuncture on the finger flexion reflex induced by finger tip vibration.

The effect of acupuncture on finger flexion reflex, caused by mechanical vibration applied to the finger tip, was studied by using the cross-correlation function. A stainless steel acupuncture needle was inserted into the acupuncture point called "Wai-Kuan" for 10 min. Acupuncture inhibited the reflex and suppressed the two modes seen in the cross-correlogram between unitary EMG activity of the muscle flexor digitorum superficialis and finger tip vibration with random frequency. The recovery of the primary mode, which may be via the spinal monosynaptic reflex loop, was significantly earlier than the recovery of the secondary mode, which may be via the supraspinal reflex long loop. This suggests that the distinct inhibitory effect of acupuncture takes place on the reflex at spinal and supraspinal levels.

Action Potentials↗