MeCP2, MBD1, MBD2, MBD3, MBD4, CLLD8-like, and BAZ2A-like proteins constitute a family of proteins that share the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD). The MBD consists of about 70 residues and is defined as the minimal region required for binding to methylated DNA by a methyl-CpG-binding protein which binds specifically to methylated DNA. The MBD can recognize a single symmetrically methylated CpG either as naked DNA or within chromatin. MeCP2, MBD1 and MBD2 (and likely MBD3) form complexes with histone deacetylase and are involved in histone deacetylase-dependent repression of transcription. MBD4 is an endonuclease that forms a complex with the DNA mismatch-repair protein MLH1. The MBDs present in putative chromatin remodelling subunit, BAZ2A, and putative histone methyltransferase, CLLD8, represent two phylogenetically distinct groups within the MBD protein family.

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                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*.
gi 1281027836 127 WLPPGWVVEDRVRASGaTAGTVDKYYFDPnSGRRFRSKIEVLYFLE 172
Cdd:cd01396     6 RLPPGWKRELVPRKSG-SAGKFDVYYISP-TGKKFRSKVELARYLE 49

MeCP2, MBD1, MBD2, MBD3, and MBD4 are members of a protein family that share the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD). The MBD, consists of about 70 residues and is defined as the minimal region required for binding to methylated DNA by a methyl-CpG-binding protein which binds specifically to methylated DNA. The MBD can recognize a single symmetrically methylated CpG either as naked DNA or within chromatin. MeCP2, MBD1 and MBD2 (and likely MBD3) form complexes with histone deacetylase and are involved in histone deacetylase-dependent repression of transcription. MBD4 is an endonuclease that forms a complex with the DNA mismatch-repair protein MLH1.

                          10        20        30        40
                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*.
gi 1281027836 127 WLPPGWVVEDRVRASGaTAGTVDKYYFDPnSGRRFRSKIEVLYFLE 172
Cdd:cd01396     6 RLPPGWKRELVPRKSG-SAGKFDVYYISP-TGKKFRSKVELARYLE 49

Methyl-CpG binding domain; Methyl-CpG binding domain, also known as the TAM (TTF-IIP5, ARBP, MeCP1) domain

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                   ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|
gi 1281027836  128 LPPGWVVEDRVRASGATAGTVDKYYFDPnSGRRFRSKIEVL-YFLETGTL 176
Cdd:smart00391   8 LPCGWRRETKQRKSGRSAGKFDVYYISP-CGKKLRSKSELArYLHKNGDL 56

MeCP2, MBD1, MBD2, MBD3, and MBD4 are members of a protein family that share the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD). The MBD, consists of about 70 residues and is defined as the minimal region required for binding to methylated DNA by a methyl-CpG-binding protein which binds specifically to methylated DNA. The MBD can recognize a single symmetrically methylated CpG either as naked DNA or within chromatin. MeCP2, MBD1 and MBD2 (and likely MBD3) form complexes with histone deacetylase and are involved in histone deacetylase-dependent repression of transcription. MBD4 is an endonuclease that forms a complex with the DNA mismatch-repair protein MLH1.

                          10        20        30        40
                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*.
gi 1281027836 127 WLPPGWVVEDRVRASGaTAGTVDKYYFDPnSGRRFRSKIEVLYFLE 172
Cdd:cd01396     6 RLPPGWKRELVPRKSG-SAGKFDVYYISP-TGKKFRSKVELARYLE 49

Methyl-CpG binding domain; The Methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) binds to DNA that contains one or more symmetrically methylated CpGs. DNA methylation in animals is associated with alterations in chromatin structure and silencing of gene expression. MBD has negligible non-specific affinity for DNA. In vitro foot-printing with MeCP2 showed the MBD can protect a 12 nucleotide region surrounding a methyl CpG pair. MBDs are found in several Methyl-CpG binding proteins and also DNA demethylase.

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                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*..
gi 1281027836 126 NWLPPGWVVEDRVRASGATAGTVDKYYFDPNsGRRFRSKIEVLYFLE 172
Cdd:pfam01429   9 LPLPPGWRREERQRKSGSKAGKVDVFYYSPT-GKKLRSKSEVARYLE 54