Look up: Zinc-finger

1. zinc finger
   Type: Term Definitions: 1. a zinc-binding domain in a protein structure often seen in certain gene regulatory proteins, transcription factors.
   Found on http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictio
   
   
2. Zinc finger
   Zinc finger: A finger-shaped fold in a protein that permits it to interact with DNA and RNA. The fold is created by the binding of specific amino acids in the protein to a zinc atom. Zinc-finger proteins regulate the expression of genes as well as nucleic acid recognition, reverse transcription and virus assembly.
   Found on http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.
   
   
3. zinc finger
   A motif associated with DNA-binding proteins. A loop of 12 amino acids contains either 2 cysteine and 2 histidine groups (a 'cysteine-histidine' zinc finger), or 4 cysteines (a 'cysteine-cysteine' zinc finger), that directly coordinate a zinc atom. The loops (usually present in multiples) intercalate directly into the DNA helix. Originally identified in the RNA polymerase III transcription factor TFIIIA.
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/visitor-contrib
   
   
4. zinc finger
   <molecular biology> A specialised protein group that is characterised by a single zinc atom associated with DNA binding proteins. A loop of 12 amino acids contains either 2 cysteine and 2 histidine groups (a cysteine histidine zinc finger) or 4 cysteines (a cysteine cysteine zinc finger), that...
   Found on http://www.mondofacto.com/facts/dictiona
   
   
5. Zinc finger
   and an antiparallel &beta; sheet. The zinc ion (green) is coordinated by two histidine residues and two cysteine residues. `Zinc fingers` are small protein structural motifs that can coordinate one or more zinc ions to help stabilize their folds. They can be classified into several different str...
   Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_finger