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 Image:Happyjoe.jpg 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)