Editing Homeobox (section)

=== POU genes ===
{{Main|POU family}}
Proteins containing a POU region consist of a homeodomain and a separate, [[structurally homologous]] POU domain that contains two [[helix-turn-helix]] motifs and also binds DNA. The two domains are linked by a flexible loop that is long enough to stretch around the DNA helix, allowing the two domains to bind on opposite sides of the target DNA, collectively covering an eight-base segment with [[consensus sequence]] 5'-ATGCAAAT-3'. The individual domains of POU proteins bind DNA only weakly, but have strong sequence-specific affinity when linked. The POU domain itself has significant structural similarity with repressors expressed in [[bacteriophage]]s, particularly [[lambda phage]].