It can be found in some fungal transcription factors. These proteins activate the transcription of the metallothionein gene in response to copper. Metallothionein maintains copper levels in yeast. The copper fist domain is similar in structure to metallothionein itself, and on copper-binding undergoes a large conformational change, which allows DNA-binding.

External links

• Copper fist definition
• InterPro: IPR001083 Copper fist DNA-binding
• - Copper-fist DNA-binding domain in PROSITE