1
|
Spinks RR, Spenkelink LM, Dixon NE, van Oijen AM. Single-Molecule Insights Into the Dynamics of Replicative Helicases. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:741718. [PMID: 34513934 PMCID: PMC8426354 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.741718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicases are molecular motors that translocate along single-stranded DNA and unwind duplex DNA. They rely on the consumption of chemical energy from nucleotide hydrolysis to drive their translocation. Specialized helicases play a critically important role in DNA replication by unwinding DNA at the front of the replication fork. The replicative helicases of the model systems bacteriophages T4 and T7, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been extensively studied and characterized using biochemical methods. While powerful, their averaging over ensembles of molecules and reactions makes it challenging to uncover information related to intermediate states in the unwinding process and the dynamic helicase interactions within the replisome. Here, we describe single-molecule methods that have been developed in the last few decades and discuss the new details that these methods have revealed about replicative helicases. Applying methods such as FRET and optical and magnetic tweezers to individual helicases have made it possible to access the mechanistic aspects of unwinding. It is from these methods that we understand that the replicative helicases studied so far actively translocate and then passively unwind DNA, and that these hexameric enzymes must efficiently coordinate the stepping action of their subunits to achieve unwinding, where the size of each step is prone to variation. Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy methods have made it possible to visualize replicative helicases acting at replication forks and quantify their dynamics using multi-color colocalization, FRAP and FLIP. These fluorescence methods have made it possible to visualize helicases in replication initiation and dissect this intricate protein-assembly process. In a similar manner, single-molecule visualization of fluorescent replicative helicases acting in replication identified that, in contrast to the replicative polymerases, the helicase does not exchange. Instead, the replicative helicase acts as the stable component that serves to anchor the other replication factors to the replisome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard R Spinks
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lisanne M Spenkelink
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas E Dixon
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Antoine M van Oijen
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Structure of an open conformation of T7 DNA polymerase reveals novel structural features regulating primer-template stabilization at the polymerization active site. Biochem J 2021; 478:2665-2679. [PMID: 34160020 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The crystal structure of full-length T7 DNA polymerase in complex with its processivity factor thioredoxin and double-stranded DNA in the polymerization active site exhibits two novel structural motifs in family-A DNA polymerases: an extended β-hairpin at the fingers subdomain, that interacts with the DNA template strand downstream the primer-terminus, and a helix-loop-helix motif (insertion1) located between residues 102 to 122 in the exonuclease domain. The extended β-hairpin is involved in nucleotide incorporation on substrates with 5'-overhangs longer than 2 nt, suggesting a role in stabilizing the template strand into the polymerization domain. Our biochemical data reveal that insertion1 of the exonuclease domain makes stabilizing interactions that facilitate proofreading by shuttling the primer strand into the exonuclease active site. Overall, our studies evidence conservation of the 3'-5' exonuclease domain fold between family-A DNA polymerases and highlight the modular architecture of T7 DNA polymerase. Our data suggest that the intercalating β-hairpin guides the template-strand into the polymerization active site after the T7 primase-helicase unwinds the DNA double helix ameliorating the formation of secondary structures and decreasing the appearance of indels.
Collapse
|
3
|
Peter B, Falkenberg M. TWINKLE and Other Human Mitochondrial DNA Helicases: Structure, Function and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040408. [PMID: 32283748 PMCID: PMC7231222 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian mitochondria contain a circular genome (mtDNA) which encodes subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation machinery. The replication and maintenance of mtDNA is carried out by a set of nuclear-encoded factors—of which, helicases form an important group. The TWINKLE helicase is the main helicase in mitochondria and is the only helicase required for mtDNA replication. Mutations in TWINKLE cause a number of human disorders associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegeneration and premature ageing. In addition, a number of other helicases with a putative role in mitochondria have been identified. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge of TWINKLE structure and function and its role in diseases of mtDNA maintenance. We also briefly discuss other potential mitochondrial helicases and postulate on their role(s) in mitochondria.
Collapse
|
4
|
Singh A, Pandey M, Nandakumar D, Raney KD, Yin YW, Patel SS. Excessive excision of correct nucleotides during DNA synthesis explained by replication hurdles. EMBO J 2020; 39:e103367. [PMID: 32037587 PMCID: PMC7073461 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019103367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The proofreading exonuclease activity of replicative DNA polymerase excises misincorporated nucleotides during DNA synthesis, but these events are rare. Therefore, we were surprised to find that T7 replisome excised nearly 7% of correctly incorporated nucleotides during leading and lagging strand syntheses. Similar observations with two other DNA polymerases establish its generality. We show that excessive excision of correctly incorporated nucleotides is not due to events such as processive degradation of nascent DNA or spontaneous partitioning of primer‐end to the exonuclease site as a “cost of proofreading”. Instead, we show that replication hurdles, including secondary structures in template, slowed helicase, or uncoupled helicase–polymerase, increase DNA reannealing and polymerase backtracking, and generate frayed primer‐ends that are shuttled to the exonuclease site and excised efficiently. Our studies indicate that active‐site shuttling occurs at a high frequency, and we propose that it serves as a proofreading mechanism to protect primer‐ends from mutagenic extensions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Manjula Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Divya Nandakumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Kevin D Raney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Y Whitney Yin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Smita S Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Perera HM, Behrmann MS, Hoang JM, Griffin WC, Trakselis MA. Contacts and context that regulate DNA helicase unwinding and replisome progression. Enzymes 2019; 45:183-223. [PMID: 31627877 DOI: 10.1016/bs.enz.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hexameric DNA helicases involved in the separation of duplex DNA at the replication fork have a universal architecture but have evolved from two separate protein families. The consequences are that the regulation, translocation polarity, strand specificity, and architectural orientation varies between phage/bacteria to that of archaea/eukaryotes. Once assembled and activated for single strand DNA translocation and unwinding, the DNA polymerase couples tightly to the helicase forming a robust replisome complex. However, this helicase-polymerase interaction can be challenged by various forms of endogenous or exogenous agents that can stall the entire replisome or decouple DNA unwinding from synthesis. The consequences of decoupling can be severe, leading to a build-up of ssDNA requiring various pathways for replication fork restart. All told, the hexameric helicase sits prominently at the front of the replisome constantly responding to a variety of obstacles that require transient unwinding/reannealing, traversal of more stable blocks, and alternations in DNA unwinding speed that regulate replisome progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Himasha M Perera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Megan S Behrmann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Joy M Hoang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Wezley C Griffin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Michael A Trakselis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chakrabarti S, Jarzynski C, Thirumalai D. Processivity, Velocity, and Universal Characteristics of Nucleic Acid Unwinding by Helicases. Biophys J 2019; 117:867-879. [PMID: 31400912 PMCID: PMC6731385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicases are components of the cellular replisome that are essential for unwinding double-strand nucleic acids during the process of replication. Intriguingly, most helicases are inefficient and require either oligomerization or assistance from other partner proteins to increase the processivity of unwinding in the presence of the replication fork, which acts as a barrier to progress. Single-molecule force spectroscopy has emerged as a promising experimental technique to probe how relieving this barrier on the helicase can allow for increased efficiency of unwinding. However, there exists no comprehensive theoretical framework to provide unique interpretations of the underlying helicase kinetics from the force spectroscopy data. This remains a major confounding issue in the field. Here, we develop a mathematical framework and derive analytic expressions for the velocity and run length of a general model of finitely processive helicases, the two most commonly measured experimental quantities. We show that in contrast to the unwinding velocity, the processivity exhibits a universal increase in response to external force, irrespective of the underlying architecture and unwinding kinetics of the helicase. Our work provides the first, to our knowledge, explanation to a wide array of experiments and suggests that helicases may have evolved to maximize processivity rather than speed. To demonstrate the use of our theory on experimental data, we analyze velocity and processivity data on the T7 helicase and provide unique inferences on the kinetics of the helicase. Our results show that T7 is a weakly active helicase that destabilizes the fork ahead by less than 1 kBT and back steps very frequently while unwinding DNA. Our work generates fundamental insights into the force response of helicases and provides a widely applicable method for inferring the underlying helicase kinetics from force spectroscopy data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaon Chakrabarti
- Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Christopher Jarzynski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute for Physical Sciences and Technology, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - D Thirumalai
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chojnacki M, Melendy T. The human papillomavirus DNA helicase E1 binds, stimulates, and confers processivity to cellular DNA polymerase epsilon. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:229-241. [PMID: 29155954 PMCID: PMC5758917 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx1103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The papillomavirus (PV) helicase protein E1 recruits components of the cellular DNA replication machinery to the PV replication fork, such as Replication Protein A (RPA), DNA polymerase α-primase (pol α) and topoisomerase I (topo I). Here we show that E1 binds to DNA polymerase ϵ (pol ϵ) and dramatically stimulates the DNA synthesis activity of pol ϵ. This stimulation of pol ϵ by E1 is highly specific and occurs even in the absence of the known pol ϵ cofactors Replication Factor C (RFC), Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and RPA. This stimulation is due to an increase in the processivity of pol ϵ and occurs independently of pol ϵ’s replication cofactors. This increase in processivity is dependent on the ability of the E1 helicase to hydrolyze ATP, suggesting it is dependent on E1’s helicase action. In addition, RPA, thought to be vital for processive DNA synthesis by both pol ϵ and pol δ, was found to be dispensable for processive synthesis by pol ϵ in the presence of E1. Overall, E1 appears to be conferring processivity to pol ϵ by directly tethering pol ϵ to the DNA parental strand and towing ϵ behind the E1 helicase as the replication fork progresses; and thereby apparently obviating the need for RPA for leading strand synthesis. Thus far only pol α and pol δ have been implicated in the DNA replication of mammalian viruses; this is the first reported example of a virus recruiting pol ϵ. Furthermore, this demonstrates a unique capacity of a viral helicase having evolved to stimulate a cellular replicative DNA polymerase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaelle Chojnacki
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Thomas Melendy
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Helicase promotes replication re-initiation from an RNA transcript. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2306. [PMID: 29899338 PMCID: PMC5997990 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04702-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To ensure accurate DNA replication, a replisome must effectively overcome numerous obstacles on its DNA substrate. After encountering an obstacle, a progressing replisome often aborts DNA synthesis but continues to unwind. However, little is known about how DNA synthesis is resumed downstream of an obstacle. Here, we examine the consequences of a non-replicating replisome collision with a co-directional RNA polymerase (RNAP). Using single-molecule and ensemble methods, we find that T7 helicase interacts strongly with a non-replicating T7 DNA polymerase (DNAP) at a replication fork. As the helicase advances, the associated DNAP also moves forward. The presence of the DNAP increases both helicase’s processivity and unwinding rate. We show that such a DNAP, together with its helicase, is indeed able to actively disrupt a stalled transcription elongation complex, and then initiates replication using the RNA transcript as a primer. These observations exhibit T7 helicase’s novel role in replication re-initiation. During DNA replication, replicative helicases play an essential role for DNA unwinding to occur. Here the authors find that bacteriophage T7 helicase is also involved in replication re-initiation by interacting with a non-replicating DNAP and increasing unwinding rate.
Collapse
|
9
|
Hernandez AJ, Richardson CC. Gp2.5, the multifunctional bacteriophage T7 single-stranded DNA binding protein. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 86:92-101. [PMID: 29588157 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The essential bacteriophage T7-encoded single-stranded DNA binding protein is the nexus of T7 DNA metabolism. Multiple layers of macromolecular interactions mediate its function in replication, recombination, repair, and the maturation of viral genomes. In addition to binding ssDNA, the protein binds to DNA polymerase and DNA helicase, regulating their activities. The protein displays potent homologous DNA annealing activity, underscoring its role in recombination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo J Hernandez
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles C Richardson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Identification of DNA primase inhibitors via a combined fragment-based and virtual screening. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36322. [PMID: 27805033 PMCID: PMC5090872 DOI: 10.1038/srep36322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural differences between bacterial and human primases render the former an excellent target for drug design. Here we describe a technique for selecting small molecule inhibitors of the activity of T7 DNA primase, an ideal model for bacterial primases due to their common structural and functional features. Using NMR screening, fragment molecules that bind T7 primase were identified and then exploited in virtual filtration to select larger molecules from the ZINC database. The molecules were docked to the primase active site using the available primase crystal structure and ranked based on their predicted binding energies to identify the best candidates for functional and structural investigations. Biochemical assays revealed that some of the molecules inhibit T7 primase-dependent DNA replication. The binding mechanism was delineated via NMR spectroscopy. Our approach, which combines fragment based and virtual screening, is rapid and cost effective and can be applied to other targets.
Collapse
|
11
|
Pincus DL, Chakrabarti S, Thirumalai D. Helicase processivity and not the unwinding velocity exhibits universal increase with force. Biophys J 2016. [PMID: 26200858 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Helicases, involved in a number of cellular functions, are motors that translocate along single-stranded nucleic acid and couple the motion to unwinding double-strands of a duplex nucleic acid. The junction between double- and single-strands creates a barrier to the movement of the helicase, which can be manipulated in vitro by applying mechanical forces directly on the nucleic acid strands. Single-molecule experiments have demonstrated that the unwinding velocities of some helicases increase dramatically with increase in the external force, while others show little response. In contrast, the unwinding processivity always increases when the force increases. The differing responses of the unwinding velocity and processivity to force have lacked explanation. By generalizing a previous model of processive unwinding by helicases, we provide a unified framework for understanding the dependence of velocity and processivity on force and the nucleic acid sequence. We predict that the sensitivity of unwinding processivity to external force is a universal feature that should be observed in all helicases. Our prediction is illustrated using T7 and NS3 helicases as case studies. Interestingly, the increase in unwinding processivity with force depends on whether the helicase forces basepair opening by direct interaction or if such a disruption occurs spontaneously due to thermal fluctuations. Based on the theoretical results, we propose that proteins like single-strand binding proteins associated with helicases in the replisome may have coevolved with helicases to increase the unwinding processivity even if the velocity remains unaffected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David L Pincus
- Biophysics Program, Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
| | - Shaon Chakrabarti
- Biophysics Program, Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
| | - D Thirumalai
- Biophysics Program, Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
|
13
|
Sun B, Pandey M, Inman JT, Yang Y, Kashlev M, Patel SS, Wang MD. T7 replisome directly overcomes DNA damage. Nat Commun 2015; 6:10260. [PMID: 26675048 PMCID: PMC4703881 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells and viruses possess several known ‘restart' pathways to overcome lesions during DNA replication. However, these ‘bypass' pathways leave a gap in replicated DNA or require recruitment of accessory proteins, resulting in significant delays to fork movement or even cell division arrest. Using single-molecule and ensemble methods, we demonstrate that the bacteriophage T7 replisome is able to directly replicate through a leading-strand cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) lesion. We show that when a replisome encounters the lesion, a substantial fraction of DNA polymerase (DNAP) and helicase stay together at the lesion, the replisome does not dissociate and the helicase does not move forward on its own. The DNAP is able to directly replicate through the lesion by working in conjunction with helicase through specific helicase–DNAP interactions. These observations suggest that the T7 replisome is fundamentally permissive of DNA lesions via pathways that do not require fork adjustment or replisome reassembly. Genomic instability can result from stalled or collapsed replication fork at sites of unrepaired DNA lesions. Here the authors uncover a new lesion bypass pathway for the T7 replisome, where leading strand template lesions can be overcome through interaction between the replisome's helicase and polymerase components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sun
- Department of Physics, Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Manjula Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - James T Inman
- Department of Physics, Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Physics, Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Mikhail Kashlev
- NCI Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Smita S Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Michelle D Wang
- Department of Physics, Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
I spent my childhood and adolescence in North and South Carolina, attended Duke University, and then entered Duke Medical School. One year in the laboratory of George Schwert in the biochemistry department kindled my interest in biochemistry. After one year of residency on the medical service of Duke Hospital, chaired by Eugene Stead, I joined the group of Arthur Kornberg at Stanford Medical School as a postdoctoral fellow. Two years later I accepted a faculty position at Harvard Medical School, where I remain today. During these 50 years, together with an outstanding group of students, postdoctoral fellows, and collaborators, I have pursued studies on DNA replication. I have experienced the excitement of discovering a number of important enzymes in DNA replication that, in turn, triggered an interest in the dynamics of a replisome. My associations with industry have been stimulating and fostered new friendships. I could not have chosen a better career.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles C Richardson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115;
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Pandey M, Elshenawy MM, Jergic S, Takahashi M, Dixon NE, Hamdan SM, Patel SS. Two mechanisms coordinate replication termination by the Escherichia coli Tus-Ter complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:5924-35. [PMID: 26007657 PMCID: PMC4499146 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Escherichia coli replication terminator protein (Tus) binds to Ter sequences to block replication forks approaching from one direction. Here, we used single molecule and transient state kinetics to study responses of the heterologous phage T7 replisome to the Tus–Ter complex. The T7 replisome was arrested at the non-permissive end of Tus–Ter in a manner that is explained by a composite mousetrap and dynamic clamp model. An unpaired C(6) that forms a lock by binding into the cytosine binding pocket of Tus was most effective in arresting the replisome and mutation of C(6) removed the barrier. Isolated helicase was also blocked at the non-permissive end, but unexpectedly the isolated polymerase was not, unless C(6) was unpaired. Instead, the polymerase was blocked at the permissive end. This indicates that the Tus–Ter mechanism is sensitive to the translocation polarity of the DNA motor. The polymerase tracking along the template strand traps the C(6) to prevent lock formation; the helicase tracking along the other strand traps the complementary G(6) to aid lock formation. Our results are consistent with the model where strand separation by the helicase unpairs the GC(6) base pair and triggers lock formation immediately before the polymerase can sequester the C(6) base.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manjula Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Mohamed M Elshenawy
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Slobodan Jergic
- Centre for Medical and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Masateru Takahashi
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nicholas E Dixon
- Centre for Medical and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Samir M Hamdan
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Smita S Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Accessory Replicative Helicases and the Replication of Protein-Bound DNA. J Mol Biol 2014; 426:3917-3928. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
|
17
|
Akabayov B, Akabayov SR, Lee SJ, Wagner G, Richardson CC. Impact of macromolecular crowding on DNA replication. Nat Commun 2013; 4:1615. [PMID: 23511479 PMCID: PMC3666333 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic activities in vivo occur in a crowded environment composed of
many macromolecules. This environment influences DNA replication by increasing the concentration of
the constituents, desolvation, decreasing the degrees of freedom for diffusion and hopping of
proteins onto DNA, and enhancing binding equilibria and catalysis. However, the effect of
macromolecular crowding on protein structure is poorly understood. Here we examine macromolecular
crowding using the replication system of bacteriophage T7 and we show that it affects several
aspects of DNA replication; the activity of DNA helicase increases and the sensitivity of DNA
polymerase to salt is reduced. We also demonstrate, using SAXS analysis, that the complex between
DNA helicase and DNA polymerase/trx is far more compact in a crowded environment. The highest
enzymatic activity corresponds to the most compact structure. Better knowledge of the effect of
crowding on structure and activity will enhance mechanistic insight beyond information obtained from
NMR and X-ray structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barak Akabayov
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Helicases are fundamental components of all replication complexes since unwinding of the double-stranded template to generate single-stranded DNA is essential to direct DNA synthesis by polymerases. However, helicases are also required in many other steps of DNA replication. Replicative helicases not only unwind the template DNA but also play key roles in regulating priming of DNA synthesis and coordination of leading and lagging strand DNA polymerases. Accessory helicases also aid replicative helicases in unwinding of the template strands in the presence of proteins bound to the DNA, minimising the risks posed by nucleoprotein complexes to continued fork movement. Helicases also play critical roles in Okazaki fragment processing in eukaryotes and may also be needed to minimise topological problems when replication forks converge. Thus fork movement, coordination of DNA synthesis, lagging strand maturation and termination of replication all depend on helicases. Moreover, if disaster strikes and a replication fork breaks down then reloading of the replication machinery is effected by helicases, at least in bacteria. This chapter describes how helicases function in these multiple steps at the fork and how DNA unwinding is coordinated with other catalytic processes to ensure efficient, high fidelity duplication of the genetic material in all organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter McGlynn
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, Yorkshire, UK,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kulczyk AW, Akabayov B, Lee SJ, Bostina M, Berkowitz SA, Richardson CC. An interaction between DNA polymerase and helicase is essential for the high processivity of the bacteriophage T7 replisome. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:39050-60. [PMID: 22977246 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.410647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthesis of the leading DNA strand requires the coordinated activity of DNA polymerase and DNA helicase, whereas synthesis of the lagging strand involves interactions of these proteins with DNA primase. We present the first structural model of a bacteriophage T7 DNA helicase-DNA polymerase complex using a combination of small angle x-ray scattering, single-molecule, and biochemical methods. We propose that the protein-protein interface stabilizing the leading strand synthesis involves two distinct interactions: a stable binding of the helicase to the palm domain of the polymerase and an electrostatic binding of the carboxyl-terminal tail of the helicase to a basic patch on the polymerase. DNA primase facilitates binding of DNA helicase to ssDNA and contributes to formation of the DNA helicase-DNA polymerase complex by stabilizing DNA helicase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz W Kulczyk
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Manosas M, Spiering MM, Ding F, Croquette V, Benkovic SJ. Collaborative coupling between polymerase and helicase for leading-strand synthesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:6187-98. [PMID: 22434886 PMCID: PMC3401439 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid and processive leading-strand DNA synthesis in the bacteriophage T4 system requires functional coupling between the helicase and the holoenzyme, consisting of the polymerase and trimeric clamp loaded by the clamp loader. We investigated the mechanism of this coupling on a DNA hairpin substrate manipulated by a magnetic trap. In stark contrast to the isolated enzymes, the coupled system synthesized DNA at the maximum rate without exhibiting fork regression or pauses. DNA synthesis and unwinding activities were coupled at low forces, but became uncoupled displaying separate activities at high forces or low dNTP concentration. We propose a collaborative model in which the helicase releases the fork regression pressure on the holoenzyme allowing it to adopt a processive polymerization conformation and the holoenzyme destabilizes the first few base pairs of the fork thereby increasing the efficiency of helicase unwinding. The model implies that both enzymes are localized at the fork, but does not require a specific interaction between them. The model quantitatively reproduces homologous and heterologous coupling results under various experimental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Manosas
- Département de Physique, Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Université Paris 06, Université Paris Diderot, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris 75005, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Helicase-DNA polymerase interaction is critical to initiate leading-strand DNA synthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:9372-7. [PMID: 21606333 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1106678108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between gene 4 helicase and gene 5 DNA polymerase (gp5) are crucial for leading-strand DNA synthesis mediated by the replisome of bacteriophage T7. Interactions between the two proteins that assure high processivity are known but the interactions essential to initiate the leading-strand DNA synthesis remain unidentified. Replacement of solution-exposed basic residues (K587, K589, R590, and R591) located on the front surface of gp5 with neutral asparagines abolishes the ability of gp5 and the helicase to mediate strand-displacement synthesis. This front basic patch in gp5 contributes to physical interactions with the acidic C-terminal tail of the helicase. Nonetheless, the altered polymerase is able to replace gp5 and continue ongoing strand-displacement synthesis. The results suggest that the interaction between the C-terminal tail of the helicase and the basic patch of gp5 is critical for initiation of strand-displacement synthesis. Multiple interactions of T7 DNA polymerase and helicase coordinate replisome movement.
Collapse
|
22
|
Simultaneous single-molecule measurements of phage T7 replisome composition and function reveal the mechanism of polymerase exchange. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:3584-9. [PMID: 21245349 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1018824108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the functioning of large, multiprotein complexes requires experimental tools capable of simultaneously visualizing molecular architecture and enzymatic activity in real time. We developed a novel single-molecule assay that combines the flow-stretching of individual DNA molecules to measure the activity of the DNA-replication machinery with the visualization of fluorescently labeled DNA polymerases at the replication fork. By correlating polymerase stoichiometry with DNA synthesis of T7 bacteriophage replisomes, we are able to quantitatively describe the mechanism of polymerase exchange. We find that even at relatively modest polymerase concentration (∼2 nM), soluble polymerases are recruited to an actively synthesizing replisome, dramatically increasing local polymerase concentration. These excess polymerases remain passively associated with the replisome through electrostatic interactions with the T7 helicase for ∼50 s until a stochastic and transient dissociation of the synthesizing polymerase from the primer-template allows for a polymerase exchange event to occur.
Collapse
|
23
|
Conformational dynamics of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase and its processivity factor, Escherichia coli thioredoxin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:15033-8. [PMID: 20696935 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1010141107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene 5 of bacteriophage T7 encodes a DNA polymerase (gp5) responsible for the replication of the phage DNA. Gp5 polymerizes nucleotides with low processivity, dissociating after the incorporation of 1 to 50 nucleotides. Thioredoxin (trx) of Escherichia coli binds tightly (Kd = 5 nM) to a unique segment in the thumb subdomain of gp5 and increases processivity. We have probed the molecular basis for the increase in processivity. A single-molecule experiment reveals differences in rates of enzymatic activity and processivity between gp5 and gp5/trx. Small angle X-ray scattering studies combined with nuclease footprinting reveal two conformations of gp5, one in the free state and one upon binding to trx. Comparative analysis of the DNA binding clefts of DNA polymerases and DNA binding proteins show that the binding surface contains more hydrophobic residues than other DNA binding proteins. The balanced composition between hydrophobic and charged residues of the binding site allows for efficient sliding of gp5/trx on the DNA. We propose a model for trx-induced conformational changes in gp5 that enhance the processivity by increasing the interaction of gp5 with DNA.
Collapse
|
24
|
Chaurasiya KR, Paramanathan T, McCauley MJ, Williams MC. Biophysical characterization of DNA binding from single molecule force measurements. Phys Life Rev 2010; 7:299-341. [PMID: 20576476 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2010.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2010] [Revised: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Single molecule force spectroscopy is a powerful method that uses the mechanical properties of DNA to explore DNA interactions. Here we describe how DNA stretching experiments quantitatively characterize the DNA binding of small molecules and proteins. Small molecules exhibit diverse DNA binding modes, including binding into the major and minor grooves and intercalation between base pairs of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Histones bind and package dsDNA, while other nuclear proteins such as high mobility group proteins bind to the backbone and bend dsDNA. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding proteins slide along dsDNA to locate and stabilize ssDNA during replication. Other proteins exhibit binding to both dsDNA and ssDNA. Nucleic acid chaperone proteins can switch rapidly between dsDNA and ssDNA binding modes, while DNA polymerases bind both forms of DNA with high affinity at distinct binding sites at the replication fork. Single molecule force measurements quantitatively characterize these DNA binding mechanisms, elucidating small molecule interactions and protein function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathy R Chaurasiya
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, 111 Dana Research Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ghosh S, Hamdan SM, Richardson CC. Two modes of interaction of the single-stranded DNA-binding protein of bacteriophage T7 with the DNA polymerase-thioredoxin complex. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:18103-12. [PMID: 20375019 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.107656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA polymerase encoded by bacteriophage T7 has low processivity. Escherichia coli thioredoxin binds to a segment of 76 residues in the thumb subdomain of the polymerase and increases the processivity. The binding of thioredoxin leads to the formation of two basic loops, loops A and B, located within the thioredoxin-binding domain (TBD). Both loops interact with the acidic C terminus of the T7 helicase. A relatively weak electrostatic mode involves the C-terminal tail of the helicase and the TBD, whereas a high affinity interaction that does not involve the C-terminal tail occurs when the polymerase is in a polymerization mode. T7 gene 2.5 single-stranded DNA-binding protein (gp2.5) also has an acidic C-terminal tail. gp2.5 also has two modes of interaction with the polymerase, but both involve the C-terminal tail of gp2.5. An electrostatic interaction requires the basic residues in loops A and B, and gp2.5 binds to both loops with similar affinity as measured by surface plasmon resonance. When the polymerase is in a polymerization mode, the C terminus of gene 2.5 protein interacts with the polymerase in regions outside the TBD. gp2.5 increases the processivity of the polymerase-helicase complex during leading strand synthesis. When loop B of the TBD is altered, abortive DNA products are observed during leading strand synthesis. Loop B appears to play an important role in communication with the helicase and gp2.5, whereas loop A plays a stabilizing role in these interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharmistha Ghosh
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
A superfamily 3 DNA helicase encoded by plasmid pSSVi from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus unwinds DNA as a higher-order oligomer and interacts with host primase. J Bacteriol 2010; 192:1853-64. [PMID: 20118258 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01300-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Replication proteins encoded by nonconjugative plasmids from the hyperthermophilic archaea of the order Sulfolobales show great diversity in amino acid sequence. We have biochemically characterized ORF735, a replication protein from pSSVi, an integrative nonconjugative plasmid from Sulfolobus solfataricus P2. We show that ORF735 is a DNA helicase of superfamily 3. It unwound double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in a 3'-to-5' direction in the presence of ATP over a wide range of temperatures, from 37 degrees C to 75 degrees C, and possessed DNA-stimulated ATPase activity. ORF735 existed in solution as a salt-stable dimer and was capable of assembling into a salt-sensitive oligomer that was significantly larger than a hexamer in the presence of a divalent cation (Mg(2+)) and an adenine nucleotide (ATP, dATP, or ADP) or its analog (ATPgammaS or AMPPNP). Both N-terminal and C-terminal portions of ORF735 (87 and 160 amino acid residues, respectively, in size) were required for protein dimerization but dispensable for the formation of the higher-order oligomer. The protein unwound DNA only as a large oligomer. Yeast two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed that ORF735 interacted with the noncatalytic subunit of host primase. These findings provide clues to the functional role of ORF735 in pSSVi DNA replication.
Collapse
|
27
|
Jeong YJ, Park K, Kim DE. Isothermal DNA amplification in vitro: the helicase-dependent amplification system. Cell Mol Life Sci 2009; 66:3325-36. [PMID: 19629390 PMCID: PMC11115679 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0094-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2009] [Revised: 06/26/2009] [Accepted: 07/01/2009] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Since the development of polymerase chain reaction, amplification of nucleic acids has emerged as an elemental tool for molecular biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Amplification methods often use temperature cycling to exponentially amplify nucleic acids; however, isothermal amplification methods have also been developed, which do not require heating the double-stranded nucleic acid to dissociate the synthesized products from templates. Among the several methods used for isothermal DNA amplification, the helicase-dependent amplification (HDA) is discussed in this review with an emphasis on the reconstituted DNA replication system. Since DNA helicase can unwind the double-stranded DNA without the need for heating, the HDA system provides a very useful tool to amplify DNA in vitro under isothermal conditions with a simplified reaction scheme. This review describes components and detailed aspects of current HDA systems using Escherichia coli UvrD helicase and T7 bacteriophage gp4 helicase with consideration of the processivity and efficiency of DNA amplification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Joo Jeong
- Department of Bio and Nanochemistry, Kookmin University, 861-1 Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-702 Republic of Korea
| | - Kkothanahreum Park
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwanjin-gu, Seoul, 143-701 Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Eun Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwanjin-gu, Seoul, 143-701 Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ghosh S, Marintcheva B, Takahashi M, Richardson CC. C-terminal phenylalanine of bacteriophage T7 single-stranded DNA-binding protein is essential for strand displacement synthesis by T7 DNA polymerase at a nick in DNA. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:30339-49. [PMID: 19726688 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.024059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-stranded DNA-binding protein (gp2.5), encoded by gene 2.5 of bacteriophage T7, plays an essential role in DNA replication. Not only does it remove impediments of secondary structure in the DNA, it also modulates the activities of the other replication proteins. The acidic C-terminal tail of gp2.5, bearing a C-terminal phenylalanine, physically and functionally interacts with the helicase and DNA polymerase. Deletion of the phenylalanine or substitution with a nonaromatic amino acid gives rise to a dominant lethal phenotype, and the altered gp2.5 has reduced affinity for T7 DNA polymerase. Suppressors of the dominant lethal phenotype have led to the identification of mutations in gene 5 that encodes the T7 DNA polymerase. The altered residues in the polymerase are solvent-exposed and lie in regions that are adjacent to the bound DNA. gp2.5 lacking the C-terminal phenylalanine has a lower affinity for gp5-thioredoxin relative to the wild-type gp2.5, and this affinity is partially restored by the suppressor mutations in DNA polymerase. gp2.5 enables T7 DNA polymerase to catalyze strand displacement DNA synthesis at a nick in DNA. The resulting 5'-single-stranded DNA tail provides a loading site for T7 DNA helicase. gp2.5 lacking the C-terminal phenylalanine does not support this event with wild-type DNA polymerase but does to a limited extent with T7 DNA polymerase harboring the suppressor mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharmistha Ghosh
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Perumal SK, Yue H, Hu Z, Spiering MM, Benkovic SJ. Single-molecule studies of DNA replisome function. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2009; 1804:1094-112. [PMID: 19665592 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2009.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2009] [Revised: 07/08/2009] [Accepted: 07/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fast and accurate replication of DNA is accomplished by the interactions of multiple proteins in the dynamic DNA replisome. The DNA replisome effectively coordinates the leading and lagging strand synthesis of DNA. These complex, yet elegantly organized, molecular machines have been studied extensively by kinetic and structural methods to provide an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of DNA replication. Owing to averaging of observables, unique dynamic information of the biochemical pathways and reactions is concealed in conventional ensemble methods. However, recent advances in the rapidly expanding field of single-molecule analyses to study single biomolecules offer opportunities to probe and understand the dynamic processes involved in large biomolecular complexes such as replisomes. This review will focus on the recent developments in the biochemistry and biophysics of DNA replication employing single-molecule techniques and the insights provided by these methods towards a better understanding of the intricate mechanisms of DNA replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Senthil K Perumal
- 414 Wartik Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Replisomes are the protein assemblies that replicate DNA. They function as molecular motors to catalyze template-mediated polymerization of nucleotides, unwinding of DNA, the synthesis of RNA primers, and the assembly of proteins on DNA. The replisome of bacteriophage T7 contains a minimum of proteins, thus facilitating its study. This review describes the molecular motors and coordination of their activities, with emphasis on the T7 replisome. Nucleotide selection, movement of the polymerase, binding of the processivity factor, unwinding of DNA, and RNA primer synthesis all require conformational changes and protein contacts. Lagging-strand synthesis is mediated via a replication loop whose formation and resolution is dictated by switches to yield Okazaki fragments of discrete size. Both strands are synthesized at identical rates, controlled by a molecular brake that halts leading-strand synthesis during primer synthesis. The helicase serves as a reservoir for polymerases that can initiate DNA synthesis at the replication fork. We comment on the differences in other systems where applicable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samir M Hamdan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Shokri L, Rouzina I, Williams MC. Interaction of bacteriophage T4 and T7 single-stranded DNA-binding proteins with DNA. Phys Biol 2009; 6:025002. [PMID: 19571366 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/6/2/025002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages T4 and T7 are well-studied model replication systems, which have allowed researchers to determine the roles of many proteins central to DNA replication, recombination and repair. Here we summarize and discuss the results from two recently developed single-molecule methods to determine the salt-dependent DNA-binding kinetics and thermodynamics of the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding proteins (SSBs) from these systems. We use these methods to characterize both the equilibrium double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and ssDNA binding of the SSBs T4 gene 32 protein (gp32) and T7 gene 2.5 protein (gp2.5). Despite the overall two-orders-of-magnitude weaker binding of gp2.5 to both forms of DNA, we find that both proteins exhibit four-orders-of-magnitude preferential binding to ssDNA relative to dsDNA. This strong preferential ssDNA binding as well as the weak dsDNA binding is essential for the ability of both proteins to search dsDNA in one dimension to find available ssDNA-binding sites at the replication fork.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Shokri
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, 111 Dana Research Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
McCauley MJ, Williams MC. Optical tweezers experiments resolve distinct modes of DNA-protein binding. Biopolymers 2009; 91:265-82. [PMID: 19173290 DOI: 10.1002/bip.21123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Optical tweezers are ideally suited to perform force microscopy experiments that isolate a single biomolecule, which then provides multiple binding sites for ligands. The captured complex may be subjected to a spectrum of forces, inhibiting or facilitating ligand activity. In the following experiments, we utilize optical tweezers to characterize and quantify DNA binding of various ligands. High mobility group type B (HMGB) proteins, which bind to double-stranded DNA, are shown to serve the dual purpose of stabilizing and enhancing the flexibility of double stranded DNA. Unusual intercalating ligands are observed to thread into and lengthen the double-stranded structure. Proteins binding to both double- and single-stranded DNA, such as the alpha polymerase subunit of E. coli Pol III, are characterized, and the subdomains containing the distinct sites responsible for binding are isolated. Finally, DNA binding of bacteriophage T4 and T7 single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding proteins is measured for a range of salt concentrations, illustrating a binding model for proteins that slide along double-stranded DNA, ultimately binding tightly to ssDNA. These recently developed methods quantify both the binding activity of the ligand as well as the mode of binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micah J McCauley
- Department of Physics and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Complex Systems, Northeastern University, 111 Dana Research Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Marintcheva B, Qimron U, Yu Y, Tabor S, Richardson CC, Richardson C. Mutations in the gene 5 DNA polymerase of bacteriophage T7 suppress the dominant lethal phenotype of gene 2.5 ssDNA binding protein lacking the C-terminal phenylalanine. Mol Microbiol 2009; 72:869-80. [PMID: 19400798 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06682.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gene 2.5 of bacteriophage T7 encodes a ssDNA binding protein (gp2.5) essential for DNA replication. The C-terminal phenylalanine of gp2.5 is critical for function and mutations in that position are dominant lethal. In order to identify gp2.5 interactions we designed a screen for suppressors of gp2.5 lacking the C-terminal phenylalanine. Screening for suppressors of dominant lethal mutations of essential genes is challenging as the phenotype prevents propagation. We select for phage encoding a dominant lethal version of gene 2.5, whose viability is recovered via second-site suppressor mutation(s). Functional gp2.5 is expressed in trans for propagation of the unviable phage and allows suppression to occur via natural selection. The isolated intragenic suppressors support the critical role of the C-terminal phenylalanine. Extragenic suppressor mutations occur in several genes encoding enzymes of DNA metabolism. We have focused on the suppressor mutations in gene 5 encoding the T7 DNA polymerase (gp5) as the gp5/gp2.5 interaction is well documented. The suppressor mutations in gene 5 are necessary and sufficient to suppress the lethal phenotype of gp2.5 lacking the C-terminal phenylalanine. The affected residues map in proximity to aromatic residues and to residues in contact with DNA in the crystal structure of T7 DNA polymerase-thioredoxin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boriana Marintcheva
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Rajagopal V, Patel SS. Viral Helicases. VIRAL GENOME REPLICATION 2009. [PMCID: PMC7121818 DOI: 10.1007/b135974_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Helicases are motor proteins that use the free energy of NTP hydrolysis to catalyze the unwinding of duplex nucleic acids. Helicases participate in almost all processes involving nucleic acids. Their action is critical for replication, recombination, repair, transcription, translation, splicing, mRNA editing, chromatin remodeling, transport, and degradation (Matson and Kaiser-Rogers 1990; Matson et al. 1994; Mendonca et al. 1995; Luking et al. 1998).
Collapse
|
35
|
Hamdan SM, Loparo JJ, Takahashi M, Richardson CC, van Oijen AM. Dynamics of DNA replication loops reveal temporal control of lagging-strand synthesis. Nature 2008; 457:336-9. [PMID: 19029884 DOI: 10.1038/nature07512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2008] [Accepted: 10/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In all organisms, the protein machinery responsible for the replication of DNA, the replisome, is faced with a directionality problem. The antiparallel nature of duplex DNA permits the leading-strand polymerase to advance in a continuous fashion, but forces the lagging-strand polymerase to synthesize in the opposite direction. By extending RNA primers, the lagging-strand polymerase restarts at short intervals and produces Okazaki fragments. At least in prokaryotic systems, this directionality problem is solved by the formation of a loop in the lagging strand of the replication fork to reorient the lagging-strand DNA polymerase so that it advances in parallel with the leading-strand polymerase. The replication loop grows and shrinks during each cycle of Okazaki fragment synthesis. Here we use single-molecule techniques to visualize, in real time, the formation and release of replication loops by individual replisomes of bacteriophage T7 supporting coordinated DNA replication. Analysis of the distributions of loop sizes and lag times between loops reveals that initiation of primer synthesis and the completion of an Okazaki fragment each serve as a trigger for loop release. The presence of two triggers may represent a fail-safe mechanism ensuring the timely reset of the replisome after the synthesis of every Okazaki fragment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samir M Hamdan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ghosh S, Hamdan SM, Cook TE, Richardson CC. Interactions of Escherichia coli thioredoxin, the processivity factor, with bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase and helicase. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:32077-84. [PMID: 18757858 PMCID: PMC2581581 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m805062200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2008] [Revised: 08/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli thioredoxin binds to a unique flexible loop of 71 amino acid residues, designated the thioredoxin binding domain (TBD), located in the thumb subdomain of bacteriophage T7 gene 5 DNA polymerase. The initial designation of thioredoxin as a processivity factor was premature. Rather it remodels the TBD for interaction with DNA and the other replication proteins. The binding of thioredoxin exposes a number of basic residues on the TBD that lie over the duplex region of the primer-template and increases the processivity of nucleotide polymerization. Two small solvent-exposed loops (loops A and B) located within TBD electrostatically interact with the acidic C-terminal tail of T7 gene 4 helicase-primase, an interaction that is enhanced by the binding of thioredoxin. Several basic residues on the surface of thioredoxin in the polymerase-thioredoxin complex lie in close proximity to the TBD. One of these residues, lysine 36, is located proximal to loop A. The substitution of glutamate for lysine has a dramatic effect on the binding of gene 4 helicase to a DNA polymerase-thioredoxin complex lacking charges on loop B; binding is decreased 15-fold relative to that observed with wild-type thioredoxin. This defective interaction impairs the ability of T7 DNA polymerase-thioredoxin together with T7 helicase to mediate strand displacement synthesis. This is the first demonstration that thioredoxin interacts with replication proteins other than T7 DNA polymerase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharmistha Ghosh
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Motré A, Li Y, Kong H. Enhancing helicase-dependent amplification by fusing the helicase with the DNA polymerase. Gene 2008; 420:17-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2008.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2007] [Revised: 04/16/2008] [Accepted: 04/25/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
38
|
Matsushima Y, Farr CL, Fan L, Kaguni LS. Physiological and biochemical defects in carboxyl-terminal mutants of mitochondrial DNA helicase. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:23964-71. [PMID: 18593709 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m803674200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA helicase, also called Twinkle, is essential for mtDNA maintenance. Its helicase domain shares high homology with helicases from superfamily 4. Structural analyses of helicases from this family indicate that carboxyl-terminal residues contribute to NTP hydrolysis required for translocation and DNA unwinding, yet genetic and biochemical information is very limited. Here, we evaluate the effects of overexpression in Drosophila cell culture of variants carrying a series of deletion and alanine substitution mutations in the carboxyl terminus and identify critical residues between amino acids 572 and 596 of the 613 amino acid polypeptide that are essential for mitochondrial DNA helicase function in vivo. Likewise, amino acid substitution mutants K574A, R576A, Y577A, F588A, and F595A show dose-dependent dominant-negative phenotypes. Arg-576 and Phe-588 are analogous to the arginine finger and base stack of other helicases, including the bacteriophage T7 gene 4 protein and bacterial DnaB helicase, respectively. We show here that representative human recombinant proteins that are analogous to the alanine substitution mutants exhibit defects in nucleotide hydrolysis. Our findings may be applicable to understand the role of the carboxyl-terminal region in superfamily 4 DNA helicases in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Matsushima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1319, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Acidic C-terminal tail of the ssDNA-binding protein of bacteriophage T7 and ssDNA compete for the same binding surface. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:1855-60. [PMID: 18238893 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0711919105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ssDNA-binding proteins are key components of the machinery that mediates replication, recombination, and repair. Prokaryotic ssDNA-binding proteins share a conserved DNA-binding fold and an acidic C-terminal tail. It has been proposed that in the absence of ssDNA, the C-terminal tail contacts the ssDNA-binding cleft, therefore predicting that the binding of ssDNA and the C-terminal tail is mutually exclusive. Using chemical cross-linking, competition studies, and NMR chemical-shift mapping, we demonstrate that: (i) the C-terminal peptide of the gene 2.5 protein cross-links to the core of the protein only in the absence of ssDNA, (ii) the cross-linked species fails to bind to ssDNA, and (iii) a C-terminal peptide and ssDNA bind to the same overall surface of the protein. We propose that the protection of the DNA-binding cleft by the electrostatic shield of the C-terminal tail observed in prokaryotic ssDNA-binding proteins, ribosomal proteins, and high-mobility group proteins is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism. This mechanism prevents random binding of charged molecules to the nucleic acid-binding pocket and coordinates nucleic acid-protein and protein-protein interactions.
Collapse
|
40
|
Farge G, Holmlund T, Khvorostova J, Rofougaran R, Hofer A, Falkenberg M. The N-terminal domain of TWINKLE contributes to single-stranded DNA binding and DNA helicase activities. Nucleic Acids Res 2007; 36:393-403. [PMID: 18039713 PMCID: PMC2241861 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkm1025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The TWINKLE protein is a hexameric DNA helicase required for replication of mitochondrial DNA. TWINKLE displays striking sequence similarity to the bacteriophage T7 gene 4 protein (gp4), which is a bi-functional primase-helicase required at the phage DNA replication fork. The N-terminal domain of human TWINKLE contains some of the characteristic sequence motifs found in the N-terminal primase domain of the T7 gp4, but other important motifs are missing. TWINKLE is not an active primase in vitro and the functional role of the N-terminal region has remained elusive. In this report, we demonstrate that the N-terminal part of TWINKLE is required for efficient binding to single-stranded DNA. Truncations of this region reduce DNA helicase activity and mitochondrial DNA replisome processivity. We also find that the gp4 and TWINKLE are functionally distinct. In contrast to the phage protein, TWINKLE binds to double-stranded DNA. Moreover, TWINKLE forms stable hexamers even in the absence of Mg2+ or NTPs, which suggests that an accessory protein, a helicase loader, is needed for loading of TWINKLE onto the circular mtDNA genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Géraldine Farge
- Division of Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hamdan SM, Johnson DE, Tanner NA, Lee JB, Qimron U, Tabor S, van Oijen AM, Richardson CC. Dynamic DNA helicase-DNA polymerase interactions assure processive replication fork movement. Mol Cell 2007; 27:539-49. [PMID: 17707227 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2007.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2007] [Revised: 05/11/2007] [Accepted: 06/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A single copy of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase and DNA helicase advance the replication fork with a processivity greater than 17,000 nucleotides. Nonetheless, the polymerase transiently dissociates from the DNA without leaving the replisome. Ensemble and single-molecule techniques demonstrate that this dynamic processivity is made possible by two modes of DNA polymerase-helicase interaction. During DNA synthesis the polymerase and the helicase interact at a high-affinity site. In this polymerizing mode, the polymerase dissociates from the DNA approximately every 5000 bases. The polymerase, however, remains bound to the helicase via an electrostatic binding mode that involves the acidic C-terminal tail of the helicase and a basic region in the polymerase to which the processivity factor also binds. The polymerase transfers via the electrostatic interaction around the hexameric helicase in search of the primer-template.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samir M Hamdan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Johnson DE, Takahashi M, Hamdan SM, Lee SJ, Richardson CC. Exchange of DNA polymerases at the replication fork of bacteriophage T7. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:5312-7. [PMID: 17369350 PMCID: PMC1838503 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0701062104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
T7 gene 5 DNA polymerase (gp5) and its processivity factor, Escherichia coli thioredoxin, together with the T7 gene 4 DNA helicase, catalyze strand displacement synthesis on duplex DNA processively (>17,000 nucleotides per binding event). The processive DNA synthesis is resistant to the addition of a DNA trap. However, when the polymerase-thioredoxin complex actively synthesizing DNA is challenged with excess DNA polymerase-thioredoxin exchange occurs readily. The exchange can be monitored by the use of a genetically altered T7 DNA polymerase (gp5-Y526F) in which tyrosine-526 is replaced with phenylalanine. DNA synthesis catalyzed by gp5-Y526F is resistant to inhibition by chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides because gp5-Y526F is deficient in the incorporation of these analogs relative to the wild-type enzyme. The exchange also occurs during coordinated DNA synthesis in which leading- and lagging-strand synthesis occur at the same rate. On ssDNA templates with the T7 DNA polymerase alone, such exchange is not evident, suggesting that free polymerase is first recruited to the replisome by means of T7 gene 4 helicase. The ability to exchange DNA polymerases within the replisome without affecting processivity provides advantages for fidelity as well as the cycling of the polymerase from a completed Okazaki fragment to a new primer on the lagging strand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donald E. Johnson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Masateru Takahashi
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Samir M. Hamdan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Seung-Joo Lee
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Charles C. Richardson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ziebarth TD, Farr CL, Kaguni LS. Modular architecture of the hexameric human mitochondrial DNA helicase. J Mol Biol 2007; 367:1382-91. [PMID: 17324440 PMCID: PMC2711006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2007.01.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2006] [Accepted: 01/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We have probed the structure of the human mitochondrial DNA helicase, an enzyme that uses the energy of nucleotide hydrolysis to unwind duplex DNA during mitochondrial DNA replication. This novel helicase shares substantial amino acid sequence and functional similarities with the bacteriophage T7 primase-helicase. We show in velocity sedimentation and gel filtration analyses that the mitochondrial DNA helicase exists as a hexamer. Limited proteolysis by trypsin results in the production of several stable fragments, and N-terminal sequencing reveals distinct N and C-terminal polypeptides that represent minimal structural domains. Physical analysis of the proteolytic products defines the region required to maintain oligomeric structure to reside within amino acid residues approximately 405-590. Truncations of the N and C termini affect differentially DNA-dependent ATPase activity, and whereas a C-terminal domain polypeptide is functional, an N-terminal domain polypeptide lacks ATPase activity. Sequence similarity and secondary structural alignments combined with biochemical data suggest that amino acid residue R609 serves as the putative arginine finger that is essential for ATPase activity in ring helicases. The hexameric conformation and modular architecture revealed in our study document that the mitochondrial DNA helicase and bacteriophage T7 primase-helicase share physical features. Our findings place the mitochondrial DNA helicase firmly in the DnaB-like family of replicative DNA helicases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tawn D Ziebarth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Farge G, Pham XH, Holmlund T, Khorostov I, Falkenberg M. The accessory subunit B of DNA polymerase gamma is required for mitochondrial replisome function. Nucleic Acids Res 2007; 35:902-11. [PMID: 17251196 PMCID: PMC1807957 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl1116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial replication machinery in human cells includes the DNA polymerase γ holoenzyme and the TWINKLE helicase. Together, these two factors form a processive replication machinery, a replisome, which can use duplex DNA as template to synthesize long stretches of single-stranded DNA. We here address the importance of the smaller, accessory B subunit of DNA polymerase γ and demonstrate that this subunit is absolutely required for replisome function. The duplex DNA binding activity of the B subunit is needed for coordination of POLγ holoenzyme and TWINKLE helicase activities at the mtDNA replication fork. In the absence of proof for direct physical interactions between the components of the mitochondrial replisome, these functional interactions may explain the strict interdependence of TWINKLE and DNA polymerase γ for mitochondrial DNA synthesis. Furthermore, mutations in TWINKLE as well as in the catalytic A and accessory B subunits of the POLγ holoenzyme, may cause autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia, a disorder associated with deletions in mitochondrial DNA. The crucial importance of the B subunit for replisome function may help to explain why mutations in these three proteins cause an identical syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Maria Falkenberg
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +46 8 58583730; Fax: +46 8 779 5383; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
Bacteriophage T7 helicase (T7 gene 4 helicase-primase) is a prototypical member of the ring-shaped family of helicases, whose structure and biochemical mechanisms have been studied in detail. T7 helicase assembles into a homohexameric ring that binds single-stranded DNA in its central channel. Using RecA-type nucleotide binding and sensing motifs, T7 helicase binds and hydrolyzes several NTPs, among which dTTP supports optimal protein assembly, DNA binding and unwinding activities. During translocation along single stranded DNA, the subunits of the ring go through dTTP hydrolysis cycles one at a time, and this probably occurs also during DNA unwinding. Interestingly, the unwinding speed of T7 helicase is an order of magnitude slower than its translocation rate along single stranded DNA. The slow unwinding rate is greatly stimulated when DNA synthesis by T7 DNA polymerase is coupled to DNA unwinding. Using the T7 helicase as an example, we highlight critical findings and discuss possible mechanisms of helicase action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Smita S. Patel
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 732 235 3372; Fax: +1 732 235 4739;
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Xu Y, Kim HJ, Kays A, Rice J, Kong H. Simultaneous amplification and screening of whole plasmids using the T7 bacteriophage replisome. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:e98. [PMID: 16893951 PMCID: PMC1540742 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study describes a novel helicase-mediated isothermal DNA amplification method that exponentially amplifies circular DNAs. The circular helicase-dependent amplification (cHDA) system is based on the T7 replication machinery, which includes the processive T7 helicase, an exonuclease-deficient T7 DNA polymerase (T7 Sequenase) and the T7 Gp2.5 single-stranded DNA-binding (SSB) protein. After the duplex DNA template is unwound by the T7 helicase, specific primers anneal to the separated DNA strands and T7 Sequenase extends the 3' end of each primer by a rolling circle mechanism to amplify not only a region defined by the primers but also continuous concatemers of the template. The cHDA reaction can be carried out at one temperature (25 degrees C) for the entire process and can achieve up to 10 000-fold amplification. Amplification can be performed using purified plasmid DNA or a crude cell lysate and can amplify inserts as large as 10 kb. Following a cHDA reaction, the amplified products can be used directly for sequencing and restriction enzyme digestion without further purification. By utilizing the helicase enzyme, circular DNA samples can be simultaneously screened and amplified at one constant temperature in one easy step.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- New England Biolabs240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Hyun-jin Kim
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 978 998 7496; Fax: +1 978 927 3382;
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lee SJ, Marintcheva B, Hamdan SM, Richardson CC. The C-terminal residues of bacteriophage T7 gene 4 helicase-primase coordinate helicase and DNA polymerase activities. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:25841-9. [PMID: 16807231 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m604602200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene 4 protein of bacteriophage T7 plays a central role in DNA replication by providing both helicase and primase activities. The C-terminal helicase domain is not only responsible for DNA-dependent dTTP hydrolysis, translocation, and DNA unwinding, but it also interacts with T7 DNA polymerase to coordinate helicase and polymerase activities. The C-terminal 17 residues of gene 4 protein are critical for its interaction with the T7 DNA polymerase/thioredoxin complex. This C terminus is highly acidic; replacement of these residues with uncharged residues leads to a loss of interaction with T7 DNA polymerase/thioredoxin and an increase in oligomerization of the gene 4 protein. Such an alteration on the C terminus results in a reduced efficiency in strand displacement DNA synthesis catalyzed by gene 4 protein and T7 DNA polymerase/thioredoxin. Replacement of the C-terminal amino acid, phenylalanine, with non-aromatic residues also leads to a loss of interaction of gene 4 protein with T7 DNA polymerase/thioredoxin. However, neither of these modifications of the C terminus affects helicase and primase activities. A chimeric gene 4 protein containing the acidic C terminus of the T7 gene 2.5 single-stranded DNA-binding protein is more active in strand displacement synthesis. Gene 4 hexamers containing even one subunit of a defective C terminus are defective in their interaction with T7 DNA polymerase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Joo Lee
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Lee JB, Hite RK, Hamdan SM, Xie XS, Richardson CC, van Oijen AM. DNA primase acts as a molecular brake in DNA replication. Nature 2006; 439:621-4. [PMID: 16452983 DOI: 10.1038/nature04317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2005] [Accepted: 10/13/2005] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark feature of DNA replication is the coordination between the continuous polymerization of nucleotides on the leading strand and the discontinuous synthesis of DNA on the lagging strand. This synchronization requires a precisely timed series of enzymatic steps that control the synthesis of an RNA primer, the recycling of the lagging-strand DNA polymerase, and the production of an Okazaki fragment. Primases synthesize RNA primers at a rate that is orders of magnitude lower than the rate of DNA synthesis by the DNA polymerases at the fork. Furthermore, the recycling of the lagging-strand DNA polymerase from a finished Okazaki fragment to a new primer is inherently slower than the rate of nucleotide polymerization. Different models have been put forward to explain how these slow enzymatic steps can take place at the lagging strand without losing coordination with the continuous and fast leading-strand synthesis. Nonetheless, a clear picture remains elusive. Here we use single-molecule techniques to study the kinetics of a multiprotein replication complex from bacteriophage T7 and to characterize the effect of primase activity on fork progression. We observe the synthesis of primers on the lagging strand to cause transient pausing of the highly processive leading-strand synthesis. In the presence of both leading- and lagging-strand synthesis, we observe the formation and release of a replication loop on the lagging strand. Before loop formation, the primase acts as a molecular brake and transiently halts progression of the replication fork. This observation suggests a mechanism that prevents leading-strand synthesis from outpacing lagging-strand synthesis during the slow enzymatic steps on the lagging strand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Bong Lee
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, 250 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Stano NM, Jeong YJ, Donmez I, Tummalapalli P, Levin MK, Patel SS. DNA synthesis provides the driving force to accelerate DNA unwinding by a helicase. Nature 2005; 435:370-3. [PMID: 15902262 PMCID: PMC1563444 DOI: 10.1038/nature03615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2004] [Accepted: 03/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Helicases are molecular motors that use the energy of nucleoside 5'-triphosphate (NTP) hydrolysis to translocate along a nucleic acid strand and catalyse reactions such as DNA unwinding. The ring-shaped helicase of bacteriophage T7 translocates along single-stranded (ss)DNA at a speed of 130 bases per second; however, T7 helicase slows down nearly tenfold when unwinding the strands of duplex DNA. Here, we report that T7 DNA polymerase, which is unable to catalyse strand displacement DNA synthesis by itself, can increase the unwinding rate to 114 base pairs per second, bringing the helicase up to similar speeds compared to its translocation along ssDNA. The helicase rate of stimulation depends upon the DNA synthesis rate and does not rely on specific interactions between T7 DNA polymerase and the carboxy-terminal residues of T7 helicase. Efficient duplex DNA synthesis is achieved only by the combined action of the helicase and polymerase. The strand displacement DNA synthesis by the DNA polymerase depends on the unwinding activity of the helicase, which provides ssDNA template. The rapid trapping of the ssDNA bases by the DNA synthesis activity of the polymerase in turn drives the helicase to move forward through duplex DNA at speeds similar to those observed along ssDNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M. Stano
- Department of Biochemistry, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Yong-Joo Jeong
- Department of Biochemistry, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Department of Bio and Nanochemistry, Kookmin University, 861-1, Chongnung-dong, Songbuk-gu, Seoul 136-702, Korea
| | - Ilker Donmez
- Department of Biochemistry, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Padmaja Tummalapalli
- Department of Biochemistry, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Mikhail K. Levin
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030-1507
| | - Smita S. Patel
- Department of Biochemistry, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to S.S.P ()
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Xi J, Zhuang Z, Zhang Z, Selzer T, Spiering MM, Hammes GG, Benkovic SJ. Interaction between the T4 helicase-loading protein (gp59) and the DNA polymerase (gp43): a locking mechanism to delay replication during replisome assembly. Biochemistry 2005; 44:2305-18. [PMID: 15709743 DOI: 10.1021/bi0479508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The T4 helicase-loading protein (gp59) has been proposed to coordinate leading- and lagging-strand DNA synthesis by blocking leading-strand synthesis during the primosome assembly. In this work, we unambiguously demonstrate through a series of biochemical and biophysical experiments, including single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, that the inhibition of leading-strand holoenzyme progression by gp59 is the result of a complex formed between gp59 and leading-strand polymerase (gp43) on DNA that is instrumental in preventing premature replication during the assembly of the T4 replisome. We find that both the polymerization and 3' --> 5' exonuclease activities of gp43 are totally inhibited within this complex. Chemical cross-linking of the complex followed by tryptic digestion and peptide identification through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry identified Cys169 of gp43 and Cys215 of gp59 as residues in a region of a protein-protein contact. With the available crystal structures for both gp43 and gp59, a model of the complex was constructed based on shape complementarity, revealing that parts of the C-terminal domain from gp59 insert into the interface created by the thumb and exonuclease domains of gp43. This insertion effectively locks the polymerase into a conformation where switching between the pol and editing modes is prevented. Thus, continued assembly of the replisome through addition of the primosome components and elements of the lagging-strand holoenzyme can occur without leading-strand DNA replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xi
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|