Sap1 binds to DNA origins during cell growth cycles, preferentially to a DNA sequence of 5'-(A/T) n (C/G)(A/T)9-10(G/C)(A/T)n -3' (n>1). This is the N-terminal DNA-binding domain [1,2].

1: Sap1 is a replication-initiation factor essential for the assembly of pre-replicative complex in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Guan L, He P, Yang F, Zhang Y, Hu Y, Ding J, Hua Y, Zhang Y, Ye Q, Hu J, Wang T, Jin C, Kong D; J Biol Chem. 2017;292:6056-6075. PMID:28223353

2: Structure of the replication regulator Sap1 reveals functionally important interfaces. Jorgensen MM, Ekundayo B, Zaratiegui M, Skriver K, Thon G, Schalch T; Sci Rep. 2018;8:10930. PMID:30026545