Talk:Zinc finger
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[edit] Zinc atom vs. ion
Does a zinc finger bind to a zinc atom or zinc ion? I performed a brief Yahoo search that returned a significant number of hits suggesting it is a zinc ion rather than a zinc atom. Can someone familiar with this topic either confirm or refute this and make appropriate modifications to the article?--GregRM 20:57, 3 March 2006 (UTC)
You are right! Miguel Andrade 23:39, 7 March 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Charge of a zinc finger?
I remember learning that a zinc finger is mainly (I think) positive charges, so that is why it binds so tightly to DNA which is mostly (I think) negative charges due to the phosphates. I think a very simple visual explanation like this is good in helping people understand moreso than telling them the exact spots it binds. ~Ryan
- You might be right. Maybe an additional schematic picture would be helpful --Splette
Talk 04:26, 10 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Where are the beta strands?
The article says that there are beta strands in a zinc finger, but the picture doesn't show any.128.163.224.198 22:46, 9 September 2007 (UTC)
- Hmm, the answer is yes and no. Typically the loops, that are shown in the picture would be the beta strands but this is not always the case. Have a look here. I just rechecked the structure that is shown in the picture. When I run DSSP, a secondary structure prediction method, I get beta strands for two of the zinc fingers but not the third, while the current picture shows the secondary structure as defined in the original PDB file. If I got some time, I might redo the figure. --Splette :) How's my driving? 11:56, 12 September 2007 (UTC)
- Ok, I added the sheets now. Hope it doesn't look too messy. --Splette :) How's my driving? 16:29, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

