Functional domains of an NAD+-dependent DNA ligase

Ligation reaction specificities of an NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase from the hyperthermophile Aquifex aeolicus

An NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The enzyme is most active in slightly alkaline pH conditions with either Mg(2+)or Mn(2+)as the metal cofactor. Ca(2+)and Ni(2+)mainly support formation of DNA-adenylate intermediates. The catalytic cycle is characterized by a low k (cat)value of 2 min(-1)with concomitant accumulation of the DNA - adenylate intermediate when Mg(2+)is used as the metal cofactor. The ligation rates of matched substrates vary by up to 4-fold, but exhibit a general trend of T/A < or = G/C < C/G < A/T on both the 3'- and 5'-side of the nick. Consistent with previous studies on Thermus ligases, this Aquifex ligase exhibits greater discrimination against a mismatched base pair on the 3'-side of the nick junction. The requirement of 3' complementarity for a ligation reaction is reaffirmed by results from 1 nt insertions on either the 3'- or 5'-side of the nick. Furthermore, most of the unligatable 3' mismatched base pairs prohibit formation of the DNA-adenylate intermediate, indicating that the substrate adenylation step is also a control point for ligation fidelity. Unlike previously studied ATP ligases, gapped substrates cannot be ligated and intermediate accumulation is minimal, suggesting that complete elimination of base pair complementarity on one side of the nick affects substrate adenylation on the 5'-side of the nick junction. Relationships among metal cofactors, ligation products and intermediate, and ligation fidelity are discussed.

Crystal structure of NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase: modular architecture and functional implications

DNA ligases catalyze the crucial step of joining the breaks in duplex DNA during DNA replication, repair and recombination, utilizing either ATP or NAD(+) as a cofactor. Despite the difference in cofactor specificity and limited overall sequence similarity, the two classes of DNA ligase share basically the same catalytic mechanism. In this study, the crystal structure of an NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase from Thermus filiformis, a 667 residue multidomain protein, has been determined by the multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) method. It reveals highly modular architecture and a unique circular arrangement of its four distinct domains. It also provides clues for protein flexibility and DNA-binding sites. A model for the multidomain ligase action involving large conformational changes is proposed.

Optimised ligation of oligonucleotides by thermal ligases: comparison of Thermus scotoductus and Rhodothermus marinus DNA ligases to other thermophilic ligases

We describe the characterisation of four thermo-stable NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases, from Thermus thermophilus (Tth), Thermus scotoductus (Ts), Rhodothermus marinus (Rm) and Thermus aquaticus (Taq), by an assay which measures ligation rate and mismatch discrimination. Complete libraries of octa-, nona- and decanucleotides were used as substrates. The assay comprised the polymerisation of oligo-nucleotides initiated from a 17 base 'primer', using M13mp18 ssDNA as template. Polymers of ligation products were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis. Under optimum conditions, the enzymes produced polymers ranging from 8 to 16 additions; there was variation between enzymes and the length of the oligonucleotides had a strong effect. The optimal total oligonucleotide concentration for each library was approximately 4 nmol. We compared the rates of ligation between the four ligases using an octanucleotide library as substrate. By this criterion, the Ts and Rm ligases are far more active compared to the more commonly available thermostable ligases.

Specific inhibition of the eubacterial DNA ligase by arylamino compounds

All known DNA ligases catalyze the formation of a phosphodiester linkage between adjacent termini in double-stranded DNA via very similar mechanisms. The ligase family can, however, be divided into two classes: eubacterial ligases, which require NAD(+) as a cofactor, and other ligases, from viruses, archaea, and eukaryotes, which use ATP. Drugs that discriminate between DNA ligases from different sources may have antieubacterial activity. We now report that a group of arylamino compounds, including some commonly used antimalarial and anti-inflammatory drugs and a novel series of bisquinoline compounds, are specific inhibitors of eubacterial DNA ligases. Members of this group of inhibitors have different heterocyclic ring systems with a common amino side chain in which the two nitrogens are separated by four carbon atoms. The potency, but not the specificity of action, is influenced by the DNA-binding characteristics of the inhibitor, and the inhibition is noncompetitive with respect to NAD(+). The arylamino compounds appear to target eubacterial DNA ligase in vivo, since a Salmonella Lig(-) strain that has been rescued with the ATP-dependent T4 DNA ligase is less sensitive than the parental Salmonella strain.

Nucleotide sequence, heterologous expression and novel purification of DNA ligase from Bacillus stearothermophilus(1)

The gene for DNA ligase (EC 6.5.1.2) from thermophilic bacterium Bacillus stearothermophilus NCA1503 has been cloned and the complete nucleotide sequence determined. The ligase gene encodes a protein 670 amino acids in length. The gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and the enzyme has been purified to homogeneity. Preliminary characterisation confirms that it is a thermostable, NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase.

Characterization of a 3'-5' exonuclease associated with VDJP

VDJP (V(D)J RSS Dependent DNA Joining Protein) was cloned based on binding to the nonamer portion of the V(D)J recombinational signal sequence (RSS), and genetic analysis revealed that VDJP is encoded by the same gene as the large subunit of Replication Factor C (RF-C). Recombinant VDJP has a site directed DNA joining activity and is capable of forming a covalent bond between DNA fragments containing an RSS element near their ends and exhibits 3' to 5' exonuclease activity. In this report, we examine the biochemical properties of the VDJP exonuclease activity such as directionality of nuclease action (3' to 5' or 5' to 3'), single-strand substrate preference, cleavage products, dependence on cofactors and metal cations, and optimal reaction conditions. From this analysis, we conclude that VDJP has an intrinsic 3'-5' exonuclease activity that produces mononucleotide products.

Structure of the adenylation domain of an NAD+-dependent DNA ligase

BACKGROUND

DNA ligases catalyse phosphodiester bond formation between adjacent bases in nicked DNA, thereby sealing the nick. A key step in the catalytic mechanism is the formation of an adenylated DNA intermediate. The adenyl group is derived from either ATP (in eucaryotes and archaea) or NAD+4 (in bacteria). This difference in cofactor specificity suggests that DNA ligase may be a useful antibiotic target.

RESULTS

The crystal structure of the adenylation domain of the NAD+-dependent DNA ligase from Bacillus stearothermophilus has been determined at 2.8 A resolution. Despite a complete lack of detectable sequence similarity, the fold of the central core of this domain shares homology with the equivalent region of ATP-dependent DNA ligases, providing strong evidence for the location of the NAD+-binding site.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparison of the structure of the NAD+4-dependent DNA ligase with that of ATP-dependent ligases and mRNA-capping enzymes demonstrates the manifold utilisation of a conserved nucleotidyltransferase domain within this family of enzymes. Whilst this conserved core domain retains a common mode of nucleotide binding and activation, it is the additional domains at the N terminus and/or the C terminus that provide the alternative specificities and functionalities in the different members of this enzyme superfamily.