The DNA binding activity of two proteins has been mapped to the SAND domain. The conserved KDWK motif is necessary for DNA binding, and it appears to be important for dimerisation [2]. This region is also found in the putative transcription factor RegA from the multicellular green alga Volvox cateri. This region of RegA is known as the VARL domain [3].

1: The APECED polyglandular autoimmune syndrome protein, AIRE-1, contains the SAND domain and is probably a transcription factor. Gibson TJ, Ramu C, Gemund C, Aasland R; Trends Biochem Sci 1998;23:242-244. PMID:9697411

2: The SAND domain structure defines a novel DNA-binding fold in transcriptional regulation. Bottomley MJ, Collard MW, Huggenvik JI, Liu Z, Gibson TJ, Sattler M; Nat Struct Biol 2001;8:626-633. PMID:11427895

3: The VARL gene family and the evolutionary origins of the master cell-type regulatory gene, regA, in Volvox carteri. Duncan L, Nishii I, Harryman A, Buckley S, Howard A, Friedman NR, Miller SM; J Mol Evol. 2007;65:1-11. PMID:17646893