Abstract
Transcription of endogenous retroviral elements are tightly regulated during development by members of the KRAB-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) and the co-repressor Trim28 (also known as Kap-1 or Tif1β). KRAB-ZFPs form the largest family of transcription regulators in mammals and initiate transcriptional silencing by tethering Trim28 to a target locus. Subsequently, Trim28 recruits chromatin modifying effectors resulting in the formation of heterochromatin. In the present study, we identify surface exposed residues on the central six turns of the Trim28 coiled-coil region forming the binding interface for the KRAB domain. Using AlphaFold2 (AF2) we provide high confidence models of the interface between Trim28 and the KRAB domain and identified leucine 301 on each chain of the Trim28 monomer to act as a pin extending into a hydrophobic pocket on the KRAB domain surface. Site directed mutations in the Trim28-KRAB binding interface abolished binding to the KRAB domain. Our work provides a detailed understanding of the specific interactions between the KRAB domain and the Trim28 coiled-coil and how this interaction may be regulated during silencing events.