The Mre11 complex (Mre11 Rad50 Nbs1) is central to chromosomal maintenance and functions in homologous recombination, telomere maintenance and sister chromatid association. The Rad50 coiled-coil region contains a dimer interface at the apex of the coiled coils in which pairs of conserved Cys-X-X-Cys motifs form interlocking hooks that bind one Zn ion. This alignment includes the zinc hook motif and a short stretch of coiled-coil on either side.

1: The Rad50 zinc-hook is a structure joining Mre11 complexes in DNA recombination and repair. Hopfner KP, Craig L, Moncalian G, Zinkel RA, Usui T, Owen BA, Karcher A, Henderson B, Bodmer JL, McMurray CT, Carney JP, Petrini JH, Tainer JA; Nature 2002;418:562-566. PMID:12152085

2: Tethering on the brink: the evolutionarily conserved Mre11-Rad50 complex. Connelly JC, Leach DR; Trends Biochem Sci 2002;27:410-418. PMID:12151226