Winged helix repair factor 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the WHR1 gene (previously STK19) and is involved in DNA repair, specifically the transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) pathway.
It used to be called "serine/threonine kinase 19", but this was misleading — although WHR1 was initially identified as a serine/threonine kinase, analysis of the crystal structure revealed absence of the kinase domain and it does not seem to possess any kinase activity.
This gene localizes to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region on chromosome 6 and expresses two transcript variants.
Structure
WHR1 contains 3 different protein-interaction domains, which are essential to its function in DNA repair: the CSA interacting domain, RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) interacting domain, and UVSSA interacting domain. These domains allow WHR1 to incorporate into the Transcription-Coupled DNA Repair (TCR) complex, which is recruited to RNA Polymerase II stalled at DNA lesions.
Part of the UVSAA binding domain may also interact with XPD, a protein in the TFIIH (transcription factor IIH) complex. This complex is recruited to the TCR and is involved in excising the damaged DNA. WHR1 binding to XPD is theorized to help optimally position the TFIIH ATPase subunits XPD and XPB onto the DNA in front of the lesion.
Role in transcription coupled nucleotide excision repair WHR1 is involved in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER), a DNA repair pathway that preferentially detects and removes DNA damage in portions of the genome that are being actively transcribed (copied from DNA into RNA). By contrast, the non-transcribed strand and portions of the genome not under active transcription are repaired more slowly, using global genome nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER).
See also RCCX
References
Further reading
STK19 involvement in DNA repair