Proteins in this family form an OB-fold. Analysis of the predicted binding site of BOF family proteins implies that they lack nucleic acid-binding properties [1]. They contain an predicted N-terminal signal peptide which indicates that they localise in the periplasm where they may function to bind proteins, small molecules, or other typical OB-fold ligands [1]. As hypothesised for the distantly related OB-fold containing bacterial enterotoxins, the loss of nucleotide-binding function and the rapid evolution of the BOF ligand-binding site may be associated with the presence of BOF proteins in mobile genetic elements and their potential role in bacterial pathogenicity [1].

1: BOF: a novel family of bacterial OB-fold proteins. Ginalski K, Kinch L, Rychlewski L, Grishin NV; FEBS Lett. 2004;567:297-301. PMID:15178340