Abstract
The TCP domain is a DNA-binding domain present in plant transcription factors and has a similar structural feature to the bHTH motif of eukaryotic transcription factors. The imino proton exchange study has been performed for the DNA duplex containing the consensus DNA-binding site for the AtTCP11 transcription factor. The first two base pairs in the consensus 5'-GTGGG-3' sequence are relatively very unstable but lead to greater stabilization of the neighboring two G C base pairs. These unique dynamic features of the five base pairs in the consensus DNA sequence might play crucial roles in the effective DNA binding of the AtTCP11 protein.