Bacteriophage T7 helicase/primase proteins form rings around single-stranded DNA that suggest a general structure for hexameric helicases

The dTTPase mechanism of T7 DNA helicase resembles the binding change mechanism of the F1-ATPase

Bacteriophage T7 DNA helicase is a ring-shaped hexamer that catalyzes duplex DNA unwinding using dTTP hydrolysis as an energy source. Of the six potential nucleotide binding sites on the hexamer, we have found that three are noncatalytic sites and three are catalytic sites. The noncatalytic sites bind nucleotides with a high affinity, but dTTPs bound to these sites do not dissociate or hydrolyze through many dTTPase turnovers at the catalytic sites. The catalytic sites show strong cooperativity which leads to sequential binding and hydrolysis of dTTP. The elucidated dTTPase mechanism of the catalytic sites of T7 helicase is remarkably similar to the binding change mechanism of the ATP synthase. Based on the similarity, a general mechanism for hexameric helicases is proposed. In this mechanism, an F1-ATPase-like rotational movement around the single-stranded DNA, which is bound through the central hole of the hexamer, is proposed to lead to unidirectional translocation along single-stranded DNA and duplex DNA unwinding.

Six molecules of SV40 large T antigen assemble in a propeller-shaped particle around a channel

The large T antigen of simian virus 40 (SV40) is a multifunctional regulatory protein, responsible for both the control of viral infection and the required alterations of cellular processes. T antigen is the only viral protein required for viral DNA replication. It binds specifically to the viral origin and as a helicase unwinds the SV40 DNA bidirectionally. The functional complex is a double hexameric oligomer. In the absence of DNA, but in the presence of ATP or a non-hydrolyzable analog, T antigen assembles into hexamers, which are active as a helicase when a partially single-stranded (3') entry site exists on the substrate. We have used negative staining electron microscopy, single particle image processing and three-dimensional reconstruction with a new algebraic reconstruction techniques (ART) algorithm to study the structure of these hexameric particles in the presence of different nucleotide cofactors (ATP, ADP, and the non-hydrolyzable analogs ATPgammaS and AMP-PNP). In every case a strong 6-fold structure was found, with the six density maxima arranged in a ring-like particle around a channel, and a well-defined vorticity. Because these structural features have recently been found in other prokaryotic helicases, they seem to be strongly related to the activity of the protein, which suggests a general functional model conserved through evolution.

Structure and subunit composition of the RuvAB-Holliday junction complex

The E. coli RuvA and RuvB proteins, which are involved in the late stages of recombination and the recombinational repair of damaged DNA, bind to Holliday junctions and promote branch migration. We have used electron microscopy and image analysis to examine RuvA and RuvB bound to model Holliday structures. The two hexameric rings of RuvB are oriented in a bipolar manner, so that the large end of each faces the junction. The results suggest a model for branch migration in which DNA is pumped out of the small end of each ring as ATP is hydrolyzed. The same structural polarity has been established for the bacteriophage T7 gp4 replicative helicase. Mass and image analysis of the RuvAB-junction complex suggests that two tetramers of RuvA form a symmetrical sandwich about the plane of the junction.

Biochemical analyses of mutations in the HSV-1 helicase-primase that alter ATP hydrolysis, DNA unwinding, and coupling between hydrolysis and unwinding

Herpes simplex virus type 1 encodes a heterotrimeric helicase-primase composed of the products of the UL5, UL52, and UL8 genes. UL5 possesses six motifs conserved among superfamily 1 of helicase proteins. Substitutions of conserved residues in each motif abolishes DNA replication in vivo (Zhu, L., and Weller, S. K. (1992) J. Virol. 66, 469-479). Purified UL5.52 harboring a Gly to Ala change in motif V retains primase and helicase activities in vitro but exhibits a higher KM for single-stranded DNA and lower DNA-dependent ATPase activity (Graves-Woodward, K. L., and Weller, S. K. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 13629-13635). We have purified and characterized six other subcomplexes with residue changes in the UL5 helicase motifs. Each variant subcomplex displays at least wild type or greater levels of primase and DNA binding activities, but all are defective in helicase activity. Mutations in motifs I and II exhibit profound decreases in DNA-dependent ATPase activity. Mutations in motifs III-VI decrease DNA-dependent ATPase activity 3-6-fold. Since mutations in motifs III, IV, V, and VI do not eliminate ATP hydrolysis or DNA binding, we propose that they may be involved in the coupling of these two activities to the process of DNA unwinding. This analysis represents the first comprehensive structure-function analysis of the conserved motifs in helicase superfamily 1.

The RecA hexamer is a structural homologue of ring helicases

The RecA protein forms a hexameric ring that is similar to the core of the F1-ATPase. Several lines of evidence suggest that this hexamer may be a structural homologue of ring helicases.

Helicase-contrahelicase interaction and the mechanism of termination of DNA replication

Termination of DNA replication at a sequence-specific replication terminus is potentiated by the binding of the replication terminator protein (RTP) to the terminus sequence, causing polar arrest of the replicative helicase (contrahelicase activity). Two alternative models have been proposed to explain the mechanism of replication fork arrest. In the first model, the RTP-terminus DNA interaction simply imposes a polar barrier to helicase movement without involving any specific interaction between the helicase and the terminator proteins. The second model proposes that there is a specific interaction between the two proteins, and that the DNA-protein interaction both restricts the fork arrest to the replication terminus and determines the polarity of the process. The evidence presented in this paper strongly supports the second model.

Biochemical analysis of mutant T7 primase/helicase proteins defective in DNA binding, nucleotide hydrolysis, and the coupling of hydrolysis with DNA unwinding

We characterized nine helicase-deficient mutants of bacteriophage T7 helicase-primase protein (4A') prepared by random mutagenesis as reported in the accompanying paper (Rosenberg, A. H., Griffin, K., Washington, M. T., Patel, S. S., and Studier, F. W. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 26819-26824). Mutants were selected from each of the helicase-conserved motifs for detailed analysis to understand better their function. In agreement with the in vivo results, the mutants were defective in helicase activity but were active in primase function. dTTP hydrolysis, DNA binding, and hexamer formation were examined. Three classes of defective mutants were observed. Group A mutants (E348K, D424N, and S496F), defective in dTTP hydrolysis, lie in motifs 1a, 2, and 4 and are possibly involved in NTP binding/hydrolysis. Group B mutants (R487C and G488D), defective in DNA binding, lie in motif 4 and are responsible directly or indirectly for DNA binding. Group C mutants (G116D, A257T, S345F, and G451E) were not defective in any of the activities except the helicase function. These mutants, scattered throughout the protein, appear defective in coupling dTTPase activity to helicase function. Secondary structural predictions of 4A' and DnaB helicases resemble the known structures of RecA and F1-ATPase enzymes. Alignment shows a striking correlation in the positions of the amino acids that interact with NTP and DNA.

Crystal structure of DNA recombination protein RuvA and a model for its binding to the Holliday junction

The Escherichia coli DNA binding protein RuvA acts in concert with the helicase RuvB to drive branch migration of Holliday intermediates during recombination and DNA repair. The atomic structure of RuvA was determined at a resolution of 1.9 angstroms. Four monomers of RuvA are related by fourfold symmetry in a manner reminiscent of a four-petaled flower. The four DNA duplex arms of a Holliday junction can be modeled in a square planar configuration and docked into grooves on the concave surface of the protein around a central pin that may facilitate strand separation during the migration reaction. The model presented reveals how a RuvAB-junction complex may also accommodate the resolvase RuvC.

Replisome assembly reveals the basis for asymmetric function in leading and lagging strand replication

The E. coli replicase, DNA polymerase III holoenzyme, contains two polymerases for replication of duplex DNA. The DNA strands are antiparallel requiring different modes of replicating the two strands: one is continuous (leading) while the other is discontinuous (lagging). The two polymerases within holoenzyme are generally thought to have asymmetric functions for replication of these two strands. This report finds that the two polymerases have equal properties, both are capable of replicating the more difficult lagging strand. Asymmetric action is, however, imposed by the helicase that encircles the lagging strand. The helicase contact defines the leading polymerase constraining it to a subset of actions, while leaving the other to cycle on the lagging strand. The symmetric actions of the two polymerases free holoenzyme to assemble into the replisome in either orientation without concern for a correct match to one or the other strand.

The role of the zinc motif in sequence recognition by DNA primases

The DNA primase of bacteriophage T7 has a zinc-binding motif that is essential for the recognition of the sequence 3'-CTG-5'. The T7 primase also catalyzes helicase activity, a reaction coupled to nucleotide hydrolysis. We have replaced the zinc motif of the T7 primase with those found in the gene 61 primase of phage T4 and the DnaG primase of Escherichia coli. The T4 and E. coli primases recognize the sequences 3'-T(C/T)G-5' and 3'-GTC-5', respectively. Both chimeric proteins can partially replace T7 primase in vivo. The two chimeric primases catalyze the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides albeit at a reduced rate and DNA dependent dTTPase activity is reduced by 3-10-fold. Both chimeric proteins recognize 3'-(A/G)CG-5' sites on single-stranded DNA, sites that differ from those recognized by the T7, T4, or E. coli primases, indicating that the zinc motif is only one determinant in site-specific recognition.

Homomorphous hexameric helicases: tales from the ring cycle

Low-resolution structures have now been determined for several hexameric ring proteins, members of a large superfamily that includes helicases and, probably, a range of DNA-binding motors. A common symmetry and mode of DNA-binding may emerge.

Stoichiometry and DNA unwinding by the bacteriophage T4 41:59 helicase

The bacteriophage T4 41 protein is a replicative helicase that forms a hexamer in the presence of ATP and associates with the T4 59 protein. The stoichiometry of the 41:59 helicase complex and its mechanism for DNA unwinding have been investigated using steady-state and single-turnover kinetics. A partial duplex DNA fork containing two regions of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) of 30 nucleotides each, and 30 base pairs served as the substrate. 59 was found to increase the steady-state unwinding rate of the substrate by 200-fold over the rate of 41 alone. Maximum unwinding occurred when 59 and 41 were equimolar, revealing a 1:1 stoichiometry for the complex. Varying 41 while holding 59 constant resulted in sigmoidal kinetics suggesting strong cooperativity for formation of the 41 hexamer and providing a lower limit for hexamer assembly of 65 nM. Substrates were prepared that contained a biotin-streptavidin block in either the leading or lagging strand of the duplex region of the substrate. The first order rate constant for unwinding was reduced only when the block was placed in the lagging strand of the DNA fork, indicating that the helicase interacts primarily with the lagging DNA strand.

Single-stranded DNA binding protein and DNA helicase of bacteriophage T7 mediate homologous DNA strand exchange

Two proteins encoded by bacteriophage T7, the gene 2.5 single-stranded DNA binding protein and the gene 4 helicase, mediate homologous DNA strand exchange. Gene 2.5 protein stimulates homologous base pairing of two DNA molecules containing complementary single-stranded regions. The formation of a joint molecule consisting of circular, single-stranded M13 DNA, annealed to homologous linear, duplex DNA having 3'- or 5'-single-stranded termini of approximately 100 nucleotides requires stoichiometric amounts of gene 2.5 protein. In the presence of gene 4 helicase, strand transfer proceeds at a rate of > 120 nucleotides/s in a polar 5' to 3' direction with respect to the invading strand, resulting in the production of circular duplex M13 DNA. Strand transfer is coupled to the hydrolysis of a nucleoside 5'-triphosphate. The reaction is dependent on specific interactions between gene 2.5 protein and gene 4 protein.

Coupling of a replicative polymerase and helicase: a tau-DnaB interaction mediates rapid replication fork movement

The E. coli replication fork synthesizes DNA at the rate of nearly 1000 nt/s. We show here that an interaction between the tau subunit of the replicative polymerase (the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme) and the replication fork DNA helicase (DnaB) is required to mediate this high rate of replication fork movement. In the absence of this interaction, the polymerase follows behind the helicase at a rate equal to the slow (approximately 35 nt/s) unwinding rate of the helicase alone, whereas upon establishing a tau-DnaB contact, DnaB becomes a more effective helicase, increasing its translocation rate by more than 10-fold. This finding establishes the existence of both a physical and communications link between the two major replication machines in the replisome: the DNA polymerase and the primosome.

Structural polymorphism of the RecA protein from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus

The Escherichia coli RecA protein has served as a model for understanding protein-catalyzed homologous recombination, both in vitro and in vivo. Although RecA proteins have now been sequenced from over 60 different bacteria, almost all of our structural knowledge about RecA has come from studies of the E. coli protein. We have used electron microscopy and image analysis to examine three different structures formed by the RecA protein from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus. This protein has previously been shown to catalyze an in vitro strand exchange reaction at an optimal temperature of about 60 degrees C. We show that the active filament formed by the T. aquaticus RecA on DNA in the presence of a nucleotide cofactor is extremely similar to the filament formed by the E. coli protein, including the extension of DNA to a 5.1-A rise per base pair within this filament. This parameter appears highly conserved through evolution, as it has been observed for the eukaryotic RecA analogs as well. We have also characterized bundles of filaments formed by the T. aquaticus RecA in the absence of both DNA and nucleotide cofactor, as well as hexameric rings of the protein formed under all conditions examined. The bundles display a very large plasticity of mass within the RecA filament, as well as showing a polymorphism in filament-filament contacts that may be important to understanding mutations that affect surface residues on the RecA filament.

Rotary DNA motors

Many molecular motors move unidirectionally along a DNA strand powered by nucleotide hydrolysis. These motors are multimeric ATPases with more than one hydrolysis site. We present here a model for how these motors generate the requisite force to process along their DNA track. This novel mechanism for force generation is based on a fluctuating electrostatic field driven by nucleotide hydrolysis. We apply the principle to explain the motion of certain DNA helicases and the portal protein, the motor that bacteriophages use to pump the genome into their capsids. The motor can reverse its direction without reversing the polarity of its electrostatic field, that is, without major structural modifications of the protein. We also show that the motor can be driven by an ion gradient; thus the mechanism may apply as well to the bacterial flagellar motor and to ATP synthase.

Protein structure. Why have six-fold symmetry?

Why do proteins proteins that encircle DNA have six-fold symmetry? One important factor may be the economy in protein mass with which DNA can be encircled by six globular subunits arranged in a ring.

Nucleotide and DNA-induced conformational changes in the bacteriophage T7 gene 4 protein

The bacteriophage T7 gene 4 protein is a multifunctional enzyme that has DNA helicase, primase, and deoxyribonucleotide 5'-triphosphatase activities. Prior studies have shown that in the presence of dTTP or dTDP the gene 4 protein assembles into a functionally active hexamer prior to binding to single-stranded DNA. In this study, we have examined the effects of different nucleotide cofactors on the conformation of the gene 4 protein in the presence and absence of DNA. Gel retardation analysis, partial protease digestion, and DNA footprinting all suggest that the gene 4 protein undergoes a conformational change when dTTP is hydrolyzed to dTTP and that in the presence of dTDP the complex with DNA is more open or extended. We have also found that the dissociation constant of the gene 4 protein.DNA complex in the presence of dTDP was 10-fold lower than that determined in the presence of dTTP, further suggesting that these cofactors exerts different allosteric effects on the DNA-binding site of the gene 4 protein.

A domain of the gene 4 helicase/primase of bacteriophage T7 required for the formation of an active hexamer

The bacteriophage T7 gene 4 protein, like a number of helicases, is believed to function as a hexamer. The amino acid sequence of the T7 gene 4 protein from residue 475 to 491 is conserved in the homologous proteins of the related phages T3 and SP6. In addition, part of this region is conserved in DNA helicases such as Escherichia coli DnaB protein and phage T4 gp41. Mutations within this region of the T7 gene 4 protein can reduce the ability of the protein to form hexamers. The His475-->Ala and Asp485-->Gly mutant proteins show decreases in nucleotide hydrolysis, single-stranded DNA binding, double-stranded DNA unwinding, and primer synthesis in proportion to their ability to form hexamers. The mutation Arg487-->Ala has little effect on oligomerization, but nucleotide hydrolysis by this mutant protein is inhibited by single-stranded DNA, and it has a higher affinity for dTTP, suggesting that this protein is defective in the protein-protein interactions required for efficient nucleotide hydrolysis and translocation on single-stranded DNA. Gene 4 protein can form hexamers in the absence of a nucleotide, but dTTP increases hexamer formation, as does dTDP, to a lesser extent, demonstrating that the protein self-association affinity is influenced by the nucleotide bound. Together, the data demonstrate that this region of the gene 4 protein is important for the protein-protein contacts necessary for both hexamer formation and the interactions between the subunits of the hexamer required for coordinated nucleotide hydrolysis, translocation on single-stranded DNA, and unwinding of double-stranded DNA. The fact that the gene 4 proteins form dimers, but not monomers, even while hexamer formation is severely diminished by some of the mutations, suggests that the proteins associate in a manner with two separate and distinct protein-protein interfaces.