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Zinc Finger Motif

Meaning

The Zinc Finger Motif is a small, evolutionarily conserved structural domain found in a vast number of proteins, characterized by the coordination of one or more zinc ions to stabilize its unique folded structure. This motif is fundamentally important in endocrinology and genetics because it constitutes the primary DNA-binding domain of many nuclear receptors, including those for critical steroid hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol. Its presence allows these receptors to recognize and bind specifically to precise DNA sequences, thereby enabling them to regulate gene transcription and mediate the profound cellular effects of hormonal signaling.