Helix-Turn-Helix DNA binding domain of the transcription regulators MlrA and CarA
Helix-turn-helix (HTH) transcription regulator MlrA (merR-like regulator A), N-terminal domain. The MlrA protein, also known as YehV, has been shown to control cell-cell aggregation by co-regulating the expression of curli and extracellular matrix production in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Its close homolog, CarA from Myxococcus xanthus, is involved in activation of the carotenoid biosynthesis genes by light. These proteins belong to the MerR superfamily of transcription regulators that promote expression of several stress regulon genes by reconfiguring the spacer between the -35 and -10 promoter elements. Their conserved N-terminal domains contain predicted HTH motifs that mediate DNA binding, while the dissimilar C-terminal domains bind specific coactivator molecules. Many MlrA- and CarA-like proteins in this group appear to lack the long dimerization helix seen in the N-terminal domains of typical MerR-like proteins.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",