DNA-binding fingers encoded by a trypanosome retroposon

Abstract

A Trypanosoma brucei repeated DNA element (TRS-1, for trypanosome repeated sequence), which seems transposable, may encode a 1651 amino acid polypeptide showing homology with reverse transcriptase. This polypeptide would also carry a DNA-binding domain, as suggested by the presence of five DNA-binding "fingers" homologous to those of the transcription factor TFIIIA of Xenopus laevis and retroviral DNA-binding proteins.