Formation of highly stable multinuclear AgnSn clusters in zinc fingers disrupts their structure and function

Abstract

Silver (Ag(I)) binding to consensus zinc fingers (ZFs) causes Zn(II) release inducing a gradual disruption of the hydrophobic core, followed by an overall conformational change and formation of highly stable Ag_nS_n clusters. A compact eight-membered Ag₄S₄ structure formed by a CCCC ZF is the first cluster example reported for a single biological molecule. Ag(I)-induced conformational changes of ZFs can, as a consequence, affect transcriptional regulation and other cellular processes.