Structure of the cro repressor from bacteriophage lambda and its interaction with DNA

Two-fold symmetry of crystalline DNA-EcoRI endonuclease recognition complexes

Recognition complexes between EcoRI endonuclease and either of two synthetic oligonucleotides (sequences CGCGAATTCGCG and TCGCGAATTCGCG) crystallize in Space Group P321 with unit cell parameters a = 128 and c = 47 A and a = 118.4 and c = 49.7 A, respectively. Native diffraction data to 3 A resolution have been collected from the form containing the tridecameric sequence. Electrophoretic analyses of dissolved crystals demonstrate that this form contains DNA and protein in a ratio of one double helix per enzyme dimer. The most likely asymmetric unit contents are one 31,000 dalton enzyme subunit and one strand of DNA, yielding VM values of 3.1 A3/dal and 2.8 A3/dal for the forms containing dodecameric and tridecameric DNA, respectively. This implies that the DNA-protein complex possesses two-fold rotational symmetry, which has been incorporated in the crystalline lattice.

1H NMR (500 MHz) of gene 32 protein--oligonucleotide complexes

In concentrated solutions, gene 32 single-stranded DNA binding protein from bacteriophage T4 (gene 32P) forms oligomers with long rotational correlation times, rendering 1H NMR signals from most of the protons too broad to be detected. Small flexible N- and C-terminal domains are present, however, the protons of which give rise to sharp resonances. If the C-terminal A domain (48 residues) and the N-terminal B domain (21 residues) are removed, the resultant core protein of 232 residues (gene 32P) retains high affinity for ssDNA and remains a monomer in concentrated solution, and most of the proton resonances of the core protein can now be observed. Proton NMR spectra (500 MHz) of gene 32P and its complexes with ApA, d(pA)n (n = 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10), and d(pT)8 show that the resonances of a group of aromatic protons shift upfield upon oligonucleotide binding. Proton difference spectra show that the 1H resonances of at least one Phe, one Trp, and five Tyr residues are involved in the chemical shift changes observed with nucleotide binding. The number of aromatic protons involved and the magnitude of the shifts change with the length of the oligonucleotide until the shifts are only slightly different between the complexes with d(pA)8 and d(pA)10, suggesting that the binding groove accommodates approximately eight nucleotide bases. Many of the aromatic proton NMR shifts observed on oligonucleotide complex formation are similar to those observed for oligonucleotide complex formation with gene 5P of bacteriophage fd, although more aromatic residues are involved in the case of gene 32P.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Crystals of the octameric histone core of the nucleosome

The undegraded core histone octamer has been crystallized in a form suitable for x-ray analysis. The hexagonal bipyramidal crystals reproducibly grow larger than 1.0 by 0.6 millimeter, X-ray reflections are observed from Bragg planes with spacings larger than 3.5 angstroms. The crystals have the symmetry of the space group P3l21 or its enantiomorph. There appears to be one histone octamer per asymmetric unit.

A novel super-secondary structure of proteins and the relation between the structure and the amino acid sequence

A novel protein super-secondary structure which is referred to as an alpha alpha-corner is considered. The alpha alpha-corner is formed by two consecutive alpha-helices packed approximately crosswise and connected by two or more peptide units. It is shown that the amino acid sequences coding for the alpha alpha-corners have a strictly definite order of hydrophobic, hydrophilic and glycine residues. A hypothesis is suggested that the alpha alpha-corner can be an embryo of protein folding.

Two-dimensional 1H NMR study of the lambda operator site OL1: a sequential assignment strategy and its application

The solution structure and dynamics of the 17-base-pair synthetic operator site OL1, which is recognized by the cI and Cro repressors of bacteriophage lambda, is studied by two-dimensional NMR methods. A sequential assignment strategy for nucleic acids is proposed and illustrated by the assignments of the base and sugar protons of OL1.

Structural and functional aspects of domain motions in proteins

Three distinct categories of large-scale flexibility in proteins have been documented by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies: the relatively free movement of essentially rigid globular domains that are connected by a flexible segment of polypeptide, the reorientation of essentially rigid domains among a few distinct conformations, and the concerted transition of a contiguous region of the surface of a protein from a disordered state to an ordered state. In a number of examples, well-defined functions can be assigned to these large-scale structural changes. The occurrence of such motions in proteins of known structure is reviewed, and the best-studied examples are discussed in detail to allow a critical evaluation of the methods used to identify and study these motions.

Structural and sequence-dependent aspects of drug intercalation into nucleic acids

Information gained from X-ray crystallographic studies on drug-nucleic acid complexes is described, with emphasis on the intercalation process. Relevant data from NMR experiments are examined in order to highlight similarities and differences between solution and solid-state structures. Theoretical analyses of intercalation complexes are also discussed and evaluated, with respect to the structural methods, with special reference being made to nucleic acid conformation and positions of drug molecules in the binding sites.

Molecular modelling of protein-nucleic acid interactions

Computer modeling techniques to study the interaction of proteins with nucleic acids are presented. The methods utilize information from genetic and chemical modification experiments and macromolecular structural constraints. These techniques, in addition to computer model building procedures and theoretical energy calculations, are illustrated for the study of the lac and cro repressor-operator systems. Our predicted interactions between lac and its operator agree with those recently reported for lac based upon sequence alignment with the cro repressor. Several molecular models of the putative helical segment of cro interacting with its OR3 operator are presented. These models are reflective of intermediate conformations experienced by the repressor in recognition of the operator sequence. The results of our studies are further discussed in terms of the design of short peptides interacting with nucleic acid sequences and the evolutionary requirements in establishing these repressor interactions.

Systematic analysis of possible hydrogen bonds between amino acid side chains and B-form DNA

The ways in which amino acid side chains could make a pair of hydrogen bonds within the major groove of B DNA are systematically analyzed. Hydrogen bond donors within the major groove are characterized by determining the idealized position of the hydrogen bond acceptors that they might bond with. It appears that an amino acid side chain could, at most, contact a pair of base pairs. The ten possible pairs of base pairs are analyzed to determine how they could be recognized by the amino acid side chains.

Sequence-specific resonance assignments in the 1H nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectrum of the lac repressor DNA-binding domain 1-51 from Escherichia coli by two-dimensional spectroscopy

The assignment of the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of the DNA-binding domain 1-51 of lac repressor from Escherichia coli is described and documented. The assignments are based entirely on the amino acid sequence and on two-dimensional NMR experiments at 360 MHz and 500 MHz. Individual assignments were obtained at 18 degrees C for the backbone protons of 44 out of the total of 51 amino acids residues, the exceptions being Met-1, Lys-2, Tyr-7, Arg-35, Glu-36, Lys-37 and Ile-48. Complete assignments of the non-labile hydrogen atoms of the side chain were obtained for 33 residues, and for Asn-46 and Asn-50 the delta amide protons were also identified. The chemical shifts for the assigned resonances at 18 degrees C are listed for an aqueous solution at pH 4.9 and at pH 6.8.

Crystallographic studies of protein-nucleic acid interaction: catabolite gene activator protein and the large fragment of DNA polymerase I

Crystals suitable for X-ray crystallographic investigation have been grown of several nucleic acid binding proteins and their analysis is in progress. These include E. coli catabolite gene activator protein (CAP), the large fragment of DNA polymerase I (Pol I fragment), rec A, single strand DNA binding protein, resolvase, lac repressor and lac repressor 'Core', 5S RNA fragment and its complex with L25. Calculation of the electrostatic charge potential of CAP, using coordinates refined at 2.6 A resolution, suggests an orientation for B DNA on this repressor and activator of transcription. Both the electrostatic calculations and detailed model building suggests that the DNA must be bent or kinked on the protein in this orientation in order to make sufficient protein contacts. From a 3.5 A resolution map of Pol I fragment we have been able to obtain a preliminary trace through the polypeptide backbone. The large fragment consists of two domains. The smaller domain binds nucleoside monophosphate at the edge of a mostly parallel beta-pleated sheet, a structure that is reminiscent of kinase and dehydrogenase nucleotide binding domains. The larger domain contains about two thirds of the fragment and is mostly alpha-helical but with at least one four stranded antiparallel beta-sheet. The nucleoside monophosphate binds with its 5' phosphate on the Mg and is apparently in the conformation of nucleotides in B DNA.

Secondary structure of the lac repressor DNA-binding domain by two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance in solution

A recently proposed approach for spatial structure determination in noncrystalline proteins by nuclear magnetic resonance was applied to the lac repressor DNA-binding domain. On the basis of sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments, the location of alpha-helices in the amino acid sequence was determined from nuclear Overhauser enhancement data and from amide proton exchange studies. These investigations provide detailed experimental data on the structure of a noncrystalline DNA-binding protein. The results support the hypothesis advanced by others that sequence-specific interactions between lac repressor and DNA are mediated by a particular spatial arrangement of two alpha-helices common to various different DNA-binding proteins.

Possible molecular detent in the DNA structure at regulatory sequences

A common feature that appears in a number of DNA sites where proteins interact is the sequence GTG/CAC. In the lac operator this sequence leads to a region with a higher imino proton exchange rate well below the optical melting temperature. It is suggested that this reflects a structural feature recognized by proteins that bind specific sites on the DNA molecule.

Crystallographic study of mechanism of ribonuclease T1-catalysed specific RNA hydrolysis

Ribonuclease T1 (RNase T1) cleaves the phosphodiester bond of RNA specifically at the 3'-end of guanosine. 2'-guanosinemonophosphate (2'-GMP) acts as inhibitor for this reaction and was cocrystallized with RNase T1. X-Ray analysis provided insight in the geometry of the active site and in the parts of the enzyme involved in the recognition of guanosine. RNase T1 is globular in shape and consists of a 4.5 turns alpha-helix lying "below" a four-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet containing recognition center as well as active site. The latter is indicated by the position of phosphate and sugar residues of 2'-GMP and shows that Glu58, His92 and Arg77 are active in phosphodiester hydrolysis. Guanine is recognized by a stretch of protein from Tyr42 to Tyr45. Residues involved in recognition are peptide NH and C = O, guanine O6 and N1H which form hydrogen bonds and a stacking interaction of Tyr45 on guanine. Although, on a theoretical basis, many specific amino acid-guanine interactions are possible, none is employed in the RNase T1.guanine recognition.

Comparison of the structures of cro and lambda repressor proteins from bacteriophage lambda

The three-dimensional structures of cro repressor protein and of the amino-terminal domain of lambda repressor protein, both from bacteriophage lambda, are compared. The second and third alpha-helices, alpha 2 and alpha 3, are shown to have essentially identical conformations in the two proteins, confirming the significance of the amino acid sequence homology previously noted between these and other DNA binding proteins in the region corresponding to these helices. The correspondence between the two-helical units in cro and lambda repressor protein is better than the striking agreement noted previously between two-helical units in cro and catabolite gene-activator protein. Parts of the first alpha-helices of repressor and cro show a structural correspondence that suggests a revised sequence homology between the two proteins in their extreme amino-terminal regions. In particular, there is a short loop between the alpha 1 and alpha 2 helices of lambda repressor that is missing from cro. This structural difference may account for the observed differences found with different cros and repressors in the pattern of phosphates whose ethylation prevents the binding of these proteins to their specific recognition sites. Although the two proteins have strikingly similar alpha 2-alpha 3 helical units that are presumed to bind to DNA in an essentially similar manner, stereochemical restrictions prevent the alpha 2-alpha 3 units of the respective proteins aligning on the DNA in exactly the same way.

Imino proton assignments in the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the lambda phage OR3 deoxyribonucleic acid fragment

The 17 base pair duplex d(TATCACCGCAAGGGATAp) . d(TATCCCTTGCGGTGATAp) corresponding to the OR3 operator site of lambda phage has been synthesized and studied by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 470 MHz. The 13 imino proton resonances observed at 20 degrees C have been assigned to specific base pairs at positions 3-15 on the basis of nuclear Overhauser effect measurements and studies of the temperature dependence of peak intensities. Resonances from the A-T base pairs at positions 1, 2, 16, and 17 are assumed to be absent from the spectrum because of terminal fraying. Resonance from many of the base pairs suggested by Ohlendorf et al. [Ohlendorf, D. H., Anderson, W. F., Fisher, R. G., Takeda, Y., & Matthews, B. W. (1982) Nature (London) 298, 718-723] to be involved in specific binding of the lambda phage cro repressor are well resolved.

The tetracycline resistance determinants of RP1 and Tn1721: nucleotide sequence analysis

Nucleotide sequences of the homologous tetracycline resistance (tet) determinants of plasmid RP1 and transposon Tn1721 have been determined. Two open reading frames of divergent polarity have been assigned to a regulatory gene (tetR) and a gene encoding a resistance protein (tetA). The intercistronic region contains appropriate regulatory and transcription signals. The tetR gene can code for a protein of 216 amino acids (deduced mol.wt. 23,288) and the tetA gene for a protein of 399 amino acids (deduced mol. wt. 42,205). Based on the deduced amino acid sequence, the tetA proteins of RP1/Tn1721 are 78% homologous with that of pBR322 and 45% homologous with that of Tn10. We conclude that a single tetA gene mediates resistance in each of these tet determinants.

Crystallographic data for complexes of the Cro repressor with DNA

Complexes of the bacteriophage lambda Cro repressor with two DNA duplexes have been crystallized. The DNA sequences are equimolar mixtures of ApTpCpApCpC and its complementary strand and ApCpCpGpCpApApGpG and its complementary strand, which are both parts of the lambda OR3 operator. The space group of both co-crystals is C2221 with cell dimensions a = 81.1 A, b = 89.2 A, and c = 80.0 A. Analysis of dissolved crystals shows that they respectively contain approximately two hexamers per Cro dimer and one nonamer per dimer. The co-crystals diffract to about 3 A resolution and appear suitable for structural studies.

Primary structure of the immI immunity region of bacteriophage P22

The DNA sequence of the immI immunity region of bacteriophage P22 has been determined. This region includes the ant gene, which encodes the P22 antirepressor protein, and the mnt and arc genes, which encode proteins that negatively regulate antirepressor synthesis. We have purified antirepressor protein and selected tryptic peptides of antirepressor, and have determined the amino terminal sequences and amino acid composition of these molecules. These data, in combination with the DNA sequence, locate the ant gene and define the complete amino acid sequence of antirepressor (300 residues). The mnt and arc genes have been located by sequencing the mnt-am343 and arc-amH1605 mutations. The Mnt and Arc proteins are predicted to be small, basic polypeptides that are homologous in amino acid sequence. The Mnt protein also shows significant sequence homology with the lambda Cro protein. The arc and ant genes are transcribed rightward from the Pant promoter, while mnt is transcribed leftward from a promotor that may overlap Pant. The Mnt protein apparently acts by binding to an operator site located immediately adjacent to the startpoint of Pant transcription.

Amino and carboxy-terminal regions in globular proteins

The structural, dynamic and functional aspects of amino and carboxy-terminal regions in proteins of known structure have been analysed. Terminal regions are usually located on the surface of the protein, accessible to solvent, and are often flexible. There is a significant preference for terminal regions in single domain proteins, and within individual domains of larger proteins, to be in close proximity. This partially reflects the compact globular nature of proteins, but the preference for spatial proximity is stronger in native proteins than in randomly generated structures. In addition in multi-domain and multi-subunit proteins we find that the terminal regions are commonly involved in the interface between domains and subunits. In the 18 multi-domain structures analysed, 19 terminal regions provide a link between domains. Subunit links are also frequently observed. In contrast, the distribution of active site residues along the sequence, indicates that the terminal regions are less frequently involved in activity. These data suggest that in many globular proteins the terminal regions fulfil a structural role, stabilizing the tertiary or quaternary structure to provide a framework for the active site.

Specificity of anti-DNA antibodies in SLE--II. Relative contribution of backbone, secondary structure and nucleotide sequence to DNA binding

Fine specificity of a population of anti-DNA antibodies which bound both ssDNA and dsDNA with apparently equal affinity was studied in two SLE plasma. Sensitivity of DNA binding to increasing sodium chloride concentration indicated that electrostatic interactions occurred between antibody and phosphate moieties of DNA. Secondary nucleic acid structure was important to DNA binding as double-stranded synthetic deoxynucleotide polymers were more effective inhibitors than their substituent single-stranded polymers. Nucleotide bases were also found to play a role in recognition of DNA by these cross-reactive antibodies, as ssDNA binding was sensitive to increasing temperature which caused unstacking of the nucleotide bases. Differing patterns of reactivity with synthetic deoxynucleotide polymers with similar secondary structures but different nucleotide compositions further indicated the importance of nucleotide bases to dsDNA binding by cross-reactive anti-DNA antibodies in SLE plasma.

Studies of the structure of bacteriophage lambda cro protein in solution. Analysis of the circular dichroism data

The secondary and tertiary structures of bacteriophage cro protein were studied by circular dichroism. The pH dependence of this structure was investigated: cro protein is stable over pH 4.5-10.5. At these pH-values cro protein contains approximately 35% alpha-helix, approximately 20% antiparallel beta-structure and approximately 15% beta-turn, while the remaining part of the protein molecule is in the irregular state. The secondary and tertiary structures of the protein are modified abruptly at more acid and more alkaline pH-values. The curves characterizing the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein are symbatic. The effect of Gu-HCl on the secondary and tertiary structures of cro protein at 22 degrees C and pH 7.2 was studied also. The conformational transition occurs within 0.6-1.9 M Gu-HCl. The changes in the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein have a symbatic character. Thermal denaturation of cro protein was examined. A possible mechanism of the protein denaturation is discussed.

Patterns of lambda Int recognition in the regions of strand exchange

Int protein has two classes of binding sites within the phage att site: the arm-type recognition sequences are found in three specific sites that are distant from the region of strand exchange; the junction-type recognition sequences occur as inverted pairs around the crossover region in both attP and attB. During recombination between attP and attB each of the four DNA strands is cut at a homologous position within each of the junction-type Int binding sites. In all four junction-type sites Int protein interacts primarily with the same face of the DNA helix, as determined by those purine nitrogens that are protected against methylation by dimethylsulfate. Efficient secondary attachment sites for lambda contain sequences with partial homology to the junction-type binding sites. In addition, the sequence between, but not part of, the two junction-type sites (the overlap region) is strongly conserved in secondary att sites. Thus, in the vicinity of strand exchange, attP and a recombining partner, such as attB, are very similar; each comprises two junction-type Int recognition sites and an overlap (crossover) region.

Three-dimensional architecture of a polytene nucleus

The three-dimensional chromosome topography in an intact nucleus has been determined using fluorescently stained Drosophila polytene chromosomes, optical fluorescence microscopy and newly developed, generally applicable, cellular image reconstruction techniques. The folding pattern is a complex mixture of parallel chromosomal segments and intertwined coils and shows extensive interaction of the chromosomes with the nuclear envelope.

Interactions of the 26-39 fragment of the cro protein from lambda bacteriophage with nucleic acids

A tetradecapeptide with a sequence identical to residues 26-39 of the cro protein from bacteriophage lambda has been synthesized. This peptide has no secondary structure in an aqueous buffer but adopts an alpha-helical conformation in the presence of 20% hexafluoroisopropanol. The fluorescence of the single tyrosyl residue of the cro protein fragment is quenched upon binding to nucleic acids. Proton magnetic resonance has been used to investigate complex formation of the cro protein fragment with a self-complementary decadeoxynucleotide d(AATTGCAATT). Changes in resonance positions and linewidths have been observed for both partners in the 4 complexes which are obtained when either the single-stranded or double-stranded oligonucleotide is mixed with either the random coil or the alpha-helical peptide. These studies are presently extended to the specific complex formed by the cro protein fragment with the OR3 operator sequence.

Many gene-regulatory proteins appear to have a similar alpha-helical fold that binds DNA and evolved from a common precursor

Amino acid and DNA sequence comparisons suggest that many sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins have in common an homologous region of about 22 amino acids. This region corresponds to two consecutive alpha-helices that occur in both Cro and cI repressor proteins of bacteriophage lambda and in catabolite gene activator protein of Escherichia coli and are presumed to interact with DNA. The results obtained here suggest that this alpha-helical DNA-binding fold occurs in many proteins that regulate gene expression. It also appears that this DNA-binding unit evolved from a common evolutionary precursor.

Protein engineering

The prospects for protein engineering, including the roles of x-ray crystallography, chemical synthesis of DNA, and computer modelling of protein structure and folding, are discussed. It is now possible to attempt to modify many different properties of proteins by combining information on crystal structure and protein chemistry with artificial gene synthesis. Such techniques offer the potential for altering protein structure and function in ways not possible by any other method.

Purification and characterization of trp aporepressor

We have isolated homogeneous trp aporepressor from an overproducing strain of Escherichia coli carrying a plasmid containing trpR preceded by tandem trp operon promoters. Dye-affinity and ion-exchange chromatography were used in conjunction with a gel electrophoresis assay in which the repressor, when bound to the trp operator, protects an Rsa I restriction site from endonuclease cleavage. Crystals suitable for x-ray diffraction studies were grown from a variety of concentrated salt solutions. Hydrodynamic properties and electrophoretic analysis of unmodified and covalently crosslinked aporepressor show that the free aporepressor has an isoelectric point of 5.9 and is a dimer containing two identical 12.5-kilodalton subunits in the presence or absence of L-tryptophan. The repressor . operator complex binds poorly to nitrocellulose filters, but restriction-site protection studies indicate that, in the presence of tryptophan, one dimer is bound to the operator site with an apparent dissociation constant less than 2 X 10(-9) M. Preliminary equilibrium dialysis experiments suggest that tryptophan binds to the aporepressor with a dissociation constant of 1.6 X 10(-5) M.

Repressor structure and the mechanism of positive control

It has been suggested that the lambda repressor stimulates transcription of its own gene by binding to the lambda operator and contacting RNA polymerase bound to the adjacent promoter. We describe three different mutants (called pc) of the lambda phage repressor that are specifically deficient in the positive control function. We show that the amino acid residues altered in the pc mutants lie on the surface of the DNA-bound repressor that we predict, based on structural and other evidence, would most closely approach DNA-bound polymerase. Furthermore, we describe a pc mutant of the P22 repressor. We argue that in both the lambda and P22 repressors a structure comprised of two alpha helices has two functions: to bind DNA and to contact RNA polymerase. In the two cases, however, different regions of this structure contact polymerase to mediate positive control.

Separate sites for binding and nicking of bacteriophage lambda DNA by terminase

The cohesive end site (cos) is the site of action of bacteriophage lambda terminase, the enzyme that introduces staggered nicks to generate the 12-base cohesive ends of mature lambda DNA. Deletion mutations that remove the lambda cohesive end sequence have been isolated after in vitro mutagenesis. The deletions were obtained by digesting the DNA of a cos duplication phage with S1 nuclease to remove the cohesive ends and adjacent base pairs, followed by blunt end ligation and DNA packaging into phage particles. cos2 is the result of a 22-base-pair deletion that exactly removes the segment of rotational symmetry that includes the cohesive end sequence. The cos2 mutation abolishes nicking by terminase but does not affect terminase binding. We conclude that cos contains two sites that interact with terminase: cosN, the nicking site; and cosB, a binding site for terminase.

lac Repressor headpiece binds specifically to half of the lac operator: a proton nuclear magnetic resonance study

The complex formation of the N-terminal domain (headpiece) of the Escherichia coli lac repressor and a synthetic 14-base-pair lac operator fragment has been investigated by 1H NMR. Titration shifts in the imino-proton region of the DNA spectrum and in the aromatic region of the headpiece spectrum are examined in detail and interpreted where possible. The assignment of the resonances in the complex follows in part from the titration data and is completed by nuclear Overhauser measurements. The shift of the His-29 C-2 resonance has been used to assess the binding strength of the complex. Evidence is presented for the presence of a high-affinity site on the lac operator fragment (KD less than or equal to 2 X 10(-5) M), which shows features in common with one of the specific binding sites on the complete lac operator, and for the presence of a second, nonspecific binding site with lower affinity. The influence of this second site on the interpretation of the binding data is discussed.

Bacteriophage lambda int protein recognizes two classes of sequence in the phage att site: characterization of arm-type sites

Purified int protein from bacteriophage lambda binds to specific sites in DNA that are not part of the functional attachment sites (non-att DNA) as well as to specific sites in att DNA. Analysis of non-att sites protected from nucleases by int has permitted definition of two distinctly different consensus recognition sequences, one of which, the arm-type sequence, is characterized in this report. Both types of recognition sequence occur in attP; five copies of the arm-type consensus sequence are located distant from the crossover region in the P1, P2, and P' arm protected regions. The second type of recognition sequence occurs at the crossover region. Modification of int with N-ethylmaleimide selectively alters its interaction with arm-type sequences.

Specificity of autoimmune monoclonal Fab fragments binding to single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid

Fab fragments from hybridoma HEd 10 [Lee, J. S., Lewis, J.R., Morgan, A.R., Mosmann, T.R., & Singh, B. (1981) Nucleic Acids Res. 9, 1707-1721] were prepared in large amounts by papain digestion of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction from ascites fluid. Binding data were generated by a fluorescence quenching technique, and binding constants [K(0)] were estimated from Scatchard plots. The Fab fragments bound tightly to poly(dT) [K(0) = 12.7 X 10(6) M-1], and analysis of binding constants for the series p(dT)2 to p(dT)17 showed that the recognition sequence consisted of four consecutive residues. The effect of ionic strength on the interaction suggested that only two phosphates were involved. Binding constants for poly(dU), poly[d(brU)], poly[d(brC)], and poly(rU) were 1.0 X 10(6) M-1, 18.8 X 10(6) M-1, 0.5 X 10(6) M-1, and less than 0.5 X 10(6) M-1, respectively, implicating the involvement of the 3, 4, and 5 positions of the pyrimidine ring as well as the deoxyribose sugar in the recognition process. At high ionic strength (0.5 M) K(0) for whole IgG binding to poly(dT) was 75 X 10(6) M-1 compared to a value of 1.1 X 10(6) M-1 for the Fab fragment. These results may have implications for the tissue damage caused by DNA-containing immune complexes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

A model for catabolite activator protein binding to supercoiled DNA

Catabolite activator protein (CAP) is a dimeric molecule (M(r) = 2 x 22,500) involved in transcription initiation of several catabolite-sensitive genes of Escherichia coli. The present communication proposes a model for the interaction of CAP with DNA. The model is based upon known geometrical features of the CAP molecule [McKay, D. B. & Steitz, T. A. (1981) Nature (London) 290, 744-749], which allow interaction between dyad-related alpha-helices of the dimeric protein and major grooves in adjacently aligned sections of right-handed B-DNA. These geometrical features suggest that in vivo CAP binding to closed-circular DNA involves CAP bridging adjacent loops of a DNA solenoidal coil. This interaction pattern is shown to be consistent with the geometrical and stoichiometric properties of nonspecifically bound CAP complexes observed by Chang et al. [Chang, J. J., Dubochet, J., Baudras, A., Blazy, B. & Takahashi, M. (1981) J. Mol. Biol. 150, 435-439]. CAP-induced coil formation is related to in vivo CAP potentiation of RNA polymerase activity in underwound closedcircular DNA. Specifically, it is proposed that CAP binding to the right-interwound form of supercoiled DNA effects a local redistribution of DNA twist-strain energy, thus resulting in the formation of a left-handed solenoidal loop. The production of this localized solenoidal loop, which reflects compensatory alterations in DNA twist and writhe, may provide a conformationally unique site for RNA polymerase binding where the DNA is partially unwound. The proposed interaction pattern is consistent with both recent DNA unwinding experiments and various nuclease protection data. Moreover, features of the model suggest that the repetitive and symmetric character of many promoter sequences may provide the structural basis for a switching mechanism operative in the differential control of gene transcription.

Two helix DNA binding motif of CAP found in lac repressor and gal repressor

Comparison of both the DNA and protein sequences of catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) with the sequences of lac and gal repressors shows significant homologies between a sequence that forms a two alpha-helix motif in CAP and sequences near the amino terminus of both repressors. This two-helix motif is thought to be involved in specific DNA sequence recognition by CAP. The region in lac repressor to which CAP is homologous contains many i-d mutations that are defective in DNA binding. Less significant sequence homologies between CAP and phage repressors and activators are also shown. The amino acid residues that are critical to the formation of the two-helix motif are conserved, while those residues expected to interact with DNA are variable. These observations suggest the lac and gal repressors also have a two alpha-helix structural motif which is involved in DNA binding and that this two helix motif may be generally found in many bacterial and phage repressors. We conclude that one major mechanism by which proteins can recognize specific base sequences in double stranded DNA is via the amino acid side chains of alpha-helices fitting into the major groove of B-DNA.

The molecular basis of DNA-protein recognition inferred from the structure of cro repressor

Recognition by cro repressor protein of its specific DNA binding sites appears to occur via multidentate hydrogen bonds between amino acid side chains of the protein and base-pair atoms in the major groove of right-handed B-form DNA. Most of the sequence-specific interactions between cro and DNA, as well as a number of sequence-independent ones, are mediated by a two-alpha-helical unit which appears to be common to many proteins that regulate gene expression.