The function of the malignant brain tumor (MBT) repeat is unknown, but is found in a number of nuclear proteins involved in transcriptional repression. The repeat contains a completely conserved glutamate at its amino terminus that may be important for function.

The crystal structure of the two MBT repeats of human SCM-like 2 protein has been reported. Each repeat consists of an extended … expand

The function of the malignant brain tumor (MBT) repeat is unknown, but is found in a number of nuclear proteins involved in transcriptional repression. The repeat contains a completely conserved glutamate at its amino terminus that may be important for function.

The crystal structure of the two MBT repeats of human SCM-like 2 protein has been reported. Each repeat consists of an extended "arm" and a globular core. The arm of the first repeat packs against the core of the second repeat and vice versa. The structure of the core-interacting part of each arm consists of an N-terminal α-helix and a turn of 3 ₁₀ helix connected by a short β-strand. The core consists of an Src homology 3-like five-stranded β-barrel followed by a C-terminal α-helix and another short β-strand. Each arm interacts with its partner core in a similar way, with the orientation of the N-terminal helix relative to the barrel varying slightly. There are also extensive interactions between the two barrels [ PUBMED:12952983 ].