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Benureau Y, Moreira Tavares E, Muhammad AA, Baconnais S, Le Cam E, Dupaigne P. Method combining BAC film and positive staining for the characterization of DNA intermediates by dark-field electron microscopy. Biol Methods Protoc 2020; 5:bpaa012. [PMID: 32913896 PMCID: PMC7474861 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA intermediate structures are formed in all major pathways of DNA metabolism. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a tool of choice to study their choreography and has led to major advances in the understanding of these mechanisms, particularly those of homologous recombination (HR) and replication. In this article, we describe specific TEM procedures dedicated to the structural characterization of DNA intermediates formed during these processes. These particular DNA species contain single-stranded DNA regions and/or branched structures, which require controlling both the DNA molecules spreading and their staining for subsequent visualization using dark-field imaging mode. Combining BAC (benzyl dimethyl alkyl ammonium chloride) film hyperphase with positive staining and dark-field TEM allows characterizing synthetic DNA substrates, joint molecules formed during not only in vitro assays mimicking HR, but also in vivo DNA intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Benureau
- DSB Repair, Replication Stress and Genome Integrity, UMR9019-CNRS ‘Genome Integrity and Cancer’, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif Cedex, France
- UMR9019-CNRS, Genome Integrity and Cancer, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif Cedex, France
| | - Eliana Moreira Tavares
- DSB Repair, Replication Stress and Genome Integrity, UMR9019-CNRS ‘Genome Integrity and Cancer’, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif Cedex, France
| | - Ali-Akbar Muhammad
- DSB Repair, Replication Stress and Genome Integrity, UMR9019-CNRS ‘Genome Integrity and Cancer’, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif Cedex, France
| | - Sonia Baconnais
- DSB Repair, Replication Stress and Genome Integrity, UMR9019-CNRS ‘Genome Integrity and Cancer’, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif Cedex, France
| | - Eric Le Cam
- DSB Repair, Replication Stress and Genome Integrity, UMR9019-CNRS ‘Genome Integrity and Cancer’, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif Cedex, France
- Correspondence address. DSB Repair, Replication Stress and Genome Integrity, UMR9019-CNRS ‘Genome Integrity and Cancer’, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif Cedex, France. Tel: 00 33 1 42 11 48 76 and 00 33 1 42 11 48 74; E-mail:
| | - Pauline Dupaigne
- DSB Repair, Replication Stress and Genome Integrity, UMR9019-CNRS ‘Genome Integrity and Cancer’, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif Cedex, France
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Mirambeau G, Lyonnais S, Coulaud D, Hameau L, Lafosse S, Jeusset J, Justome A, Delain E, Gorelick RJ, Le Cam E. Transmission electron microscopy reveals an optimal HIV-1 nucleocapsid aggregation with single-stranded nucleic acids and the mature HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein. J Mol Biol 2006; 364:496-511. [PMID: 17020765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2006.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2006] [Accepted: 08/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NCp7) condenses the viral RNA within the mature capsid. In a capsid-free system, NCp7 promotes an efficient mechanism of aggregation with both RNA and DNA. Here, we show an analysis of these macromolecular complexes by dark-field imaging using transmission electron microscopy. Thousands of mature NCp7 proteins co-aggregate with hundreds of single-stranded circular DNA molecules (ssDNA) within minutes, as observed with poly(rA). These co-aggregates are highly stable but dynamic structures, as they dissociate under harsh conditions, and after addition of potent ssDNA or NCp7 competitive ligands. The N-terminal domain and zinc fingers of NCp7 are both required for efficient association. Addition of magnesium slightly increases the avidity of NCp7 for ssDNA, while it strongly inhibits co-aggregation with relaxed circular double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). This DNA selectivity is restricted to mature NCp7, compared to its precursors NCp15 and NCp9. Moreover, for NCp15, the linkage of NCp7 with the Gag C-terminal p6-peptide provokes a deficiency in ssDNA aggregation, but results in DNA spreading similar to prototypical SSB proteins. Finally, this co-aggregation is discussed in a dynamic architectural context with regard to the mature HIV-1 nucleocapsid. On the basis of the present data, we propose that condensation of encapsidated RNA requires the C-terminal processing of NCp. Subsequently, disassembly of the nucleocapsid should be favoured once dsDNA is produced by HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Mirambeau
- Laboratoire de Microscopie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS UMR 8126, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France.
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Hameau L, Jeusset J, Lafosse S, Coulaud D, Delain E, Unge T, Restle T, Le Cam E, Mirambeau G. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 central DNA flap: dynamic terminal product of plus-strand displacement dna synthesis catalyzed by reverse transcriptase assisted by nucleocapsid protein. J Virol 2001; 75:3301-13. [PMID: 11238856 PMCID: PMC114123 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.75.7.3301-3313.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
To terminate the reverse transcription of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome, a final step occurs within the center of the proviral DNA generating a 99-nucleotide DNA flap (6). This step, catalyzed by reverse transcriptase (RT), is defined as a discrete strand displacement (SD) synthesis between the first nucleotide after the central priming (cPPT) site and the final position of the central termination sequence (CTS) site. Using recombinant HIV-1 RT and a circular single-stranded DNA template harboring the cPPT-CTS sequence, we have developed an SD synthesis-directed in vitro termination assay. Elongation, strand displacement, and complete central flap behavior were analyzed using electrophoresis and electron microscopy approaches. Optimal conditions to obtain complete central flap, which ended at the CTS site, have been defined in using nucleocapsid protein (NCp), the main accessory protein of the reverse transcription complex. A full-length HIV-1 central DNA flap was then carried out in vitro. Its synthesis appears faster in the presence of the HIV-1 NCp or the T4-encoded SSB protein (gp32). Finally, a high frequency of strand transfer was shown during the SD synthesis along the cPPT-CTS site with RT alone. This reveals a local and efficient 3'-5' branch migration which emphasizes some important structural fluctuations within the flap. These fluctuations may be stabilized by the NCp chaperone activity. The biological implications of the RT-directed NCp-assisted flap synthesis are discussed within the context of reverse transcription complexes, assembly of the preintegration complexes, and nuclear import of the HIV-1 proviral DNA to the nucleus toward their chromatin targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Hameau
- Laboratoire de Microscopie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS UMR 8532, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
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Cam EL, Culard F, Larquet E, Delain E, Cognet JA. DNA bending induced by the archaebacterial histone-like protein MC1. J Mol Biol 1999; 285:1011-21. [PMID: 9887264 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1998.2321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The conformational changes induced by the binding of the histone-like protein MC1 to DNA duplexes have been analyzed by dark-field electron microscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Visualisation of the DNA molecules by electron microscopy reveals that the binding of MC1 induces sharp kinks. Linear DNA duplexes (176 bp) which contained a preferential site located at the center were used for quantitative analysis. Measurements of the angle at the center of all duplexes, at a fixed DNA concentration, as a function of the MC1 concentration, were very well fitted by a simple model of an isotropic flexible junction and an equilibrium between the two conformations of DNA with bound or unbound MC1. This model amounts to double-folded Gaussian distributions and yields an equilibrium deflection angle of theta0=116 degrees for the DNA with bound MC1. It allowed measurements of the fraction of DNA with bound MC1 to be taken as a function of MC1 concentrations and yields an equilibrium dissociation constant of Kd=100 nM. It shows that the flexibility of DNA is reduced by the binding of MC1 and the formation of a kink. The equilibrium dissociation constant value was corroborated by gel electrophoresis. Control of the model by the computation of the reduced chi2 shows that the measurements are consistent and that electron microscopy can be used to quantify precisely the DNA deformations induced by the binding of a protein to a preferential site.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Cam
- Laboratoire de Microscopie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, LM2C, UMR 1772 CNRS, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, Villejuif Cedex, 94805, France.
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Cognet JA, Pakleza C, Cherny D, Delain E, Cam EL. Static curvature and flexibility measurements of DNA with microscopy. A simple renormalization method, its assessment by experiment and simulation. J Mol Biol 1999; 285:997-1009. [PMID: 9887263 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1998.2322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We present the derivation of equations based on statistical polymer chain analysis and a method to quantify the average angle value of intrinsic bends and the local flexibility at a given locus on DNA fragments imaged by electron microscopy. DNA fragments of n base-pairs are considered as stiff chains of n jointed unit rigid rods. If the DNA fragments are composed of two branches A0Am and A0Bn, with, respectively, m and n base-pairs, where the standard deviations of the angle formed by two consecutive base-pairs are uniform over each branch, respectively, sigmathetaA and sigmathetaB, we show that the standard deviation of the angle AmA0Bn is: [formula: see text] where sigmatheta0 is the standard deviation of the angle at locus A0. This equation is established for small angular deviations by analysis of DNA at different scales and the validity of the methodology is controlled with the computation of the reduced chi2 statistical test. The length of the DNA fragments must be of the order of, or below, the persistence length, as determined by sets of statistics from computer simulations of DNA fragments. This is verified experimentally by a detailed analysis of the digitized contours of homogeneous linear 139 base-pair DNA fragments observed by electron microscopy. The images are compared to the reconstruction of DNA fragments from the measurements. The value found, sigma0=4.6 degrees/bp, is consistent with the well-accepted value for DNA in a plane. We discuss the relationship between the standard deviation of the measured angles and the flexibility at the base-pair level. This method is useful to quantify directly from microscopy techniques, such as electron or scanning force microscopy, the true bending angle, either intrinsic or induced by a ligand, and its associated flexibility at a given locus in any small DNA fragment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Cognet
- Laboratoire de Physico-chimie Biomoléculaire et Cellulaire ESA 7033 CNRS, T22-12, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, Paris Cedex 05, 75252, France.
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Toulmé F, Le Cam E, Teyssier C, Delain E, Sautière P, Maurizot JC, Culard F. Conformational changes of DNA minicircles upon the binding of the archaebacterial histone-like protein MC1. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:6286-91. [PMID: 7890766 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.11.6286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Binding of the archaebacterial histone-like protein MC1 to DNA minicircles has been examined by gel retardation and electron microscopy. MC1 preferentially binds to a 207-base pair relaxed DNA minicircle as compared with the linear fragment. Random binding is observed at very low ionic strength, and a slight increase in salt concentration highly favors the formation of a complex that corresponds to the binding of two MC1 molecules per DNA ring. Measurements of dissociation rates show that this complex is remarkably stable, and electron microscopy reveals that it is characterized by two diametrically opposed kinks. These results are discussed in regard to the mechanisms by which MC1 affects DNA structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Toulmé
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Orléans, France
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Le Cam E, Frechon D, Barray M, Fourcade A, Delain E. Observation of binding and polymerization of Fur repressor onto operator-containing DNA with electron and atomic force microscopes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1994; 91:11816-20. [PMID: 7991541 PMCID: PMC45326 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.91.25.11816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The Fur (ferric uptake regulation) protein is a global regulator that, in the presence of Fe2+, represses the expression of a number of iron-acquisition genes and virulence determinants such as toxins. Dark-field electron microscopy of positively stained Fur-DNA complexes in addition to atomic force microscopy allowed direct visualization of Fur interactions with the regulatory regions of aerobactin and hemolysin operons and provided complementary information about the structure of the complexes. According to the DNA used and the protein/DNA ratio, Fur binding to DNA results in partial or total covering of the fragments, indicating that the protein initiates polymerization along the DNA molecules at specific sites. Negative staining of Fur-DNA complexes revealed a well-ordered structure of the polymer suggesting a helical arrangement. Local rigidification of the DNA molecules resulting from Fur binding could be involved in the repression process.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Le Cam
- Laboratoire de Microscopie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Villejuif, France
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Cherney DI, Kurakin AV, Lyamichev VI, Frank-Kamenetskii MD, Zinkevich VE, Firman K, Nielsen PE. Electron microscopic studies of sequence-specific recognition of duplex DNA by different ligands. J Mol Recognit 1994; 7:171-6. [PMID: 7880541 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.300070304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The following ligands were used to study sequence specific recognition of duplex DNA by electron microscopic techniques: methyltransferases BspR1 and EcoR124 (recognition sequences GGCC and GAAN7RTCG, respectively), a biotinylated deoxyoligonucleotide 5'-CTCTCTCTCTCTCT-3' capable of forming triplex DNA, and PNA oligomer H-T10-LysNH2. For each ligand the best conditions for electron microscopic (EM) detection of stable specific complex formation were determined. It was demonstrated that EM allowed us to determine the position of the individual target site with an error of 15-20 bp, the relative affinities for individual target sites and kinetic parameters of the binding. These results open new possibilities for EM investigations of sequence-specific interactions with a wide range of other ligands of a similar nature. They also imply that a wide range of different sequences can be unambiguously and precisely mapped by EM and greatly extend the scope of EM applications for physical mapping of genomic DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- D I Cherney
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
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Podtelezhnikov AA, Kurakin AV, Vologodskii AV, Cherny DI. Testing the quality of electron microscope mapping data for DNA molecules with sequence-specific ligands. Micron 1994; 25:439-46. [PMID: 7850350 DOI: 10.1016/0968-4328(94)00033-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A procedure for the testing of Electron Microscope (EM) mapping data for DNA molecules with site-specific bound ligands is suggested. The difficulty of distinguishing DNA molecule ends on electron micrographs indicates that their true orientations are not known. This in turn presents problems in obtaining correct maps relating to their alignment, and complicates checking the maps' validity. For these reasons a computer simulation of the EM study of double-stranded DNA molecules with site-specific bound ligands was carried out. The knowledge of the true orientations of the simulated DNA molecules allowed us to examine their final orientations after alignment. We used the number of improper-oriented molecules as the quantitative measure of the map quality. Detailed investigation based on this parameter permitted us to invent the criterion for the map validity, and to suggest the procedure for the testing of alignment of real DNA molecules. This procedure implies multiple randomization of initial orientations of the DNA molecules and minute analysis of the final maps. Most of the molecular, statistical and experimental parameters inherent to EM investigation of site-specific binding, such as the number of specific binding sites (N), the mean number of bound ligands (A), the length of the DNA molecules (L), the specific/non-specific ratio of binding (K), together with the standard deviation of DNA molecule lengths (HL) were tested for their influence upon the quality of EM mapping data. An empirical equation for the ultimate values of these parameters has been found, allowing us to predict the success of EM mapping.
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Pager J, Coulaud D, Delain E. Electron microscopy of the nucleocapsid from disrupted Moloney murine leukemia virus and of associated type VI collagen-like filaments. J Virol 1994; 68:223-32. [PMID: 8254732 PMCID: PMC236281 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.68.1.223-232.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
To analyze the constituents of retroviruses, the Moloney murine leukemia virus was disrupted and observed by dark-field electron microscopy. Virus disruption was achieved by several methods: osmotic shock, freezing-thawing cycles, and exposure to urea up to 4 M, to NaCl up to 1 M, and to Triton X-100. Several components associated with broken Moloney murine leukemia virus were repeatedly found in preparations. These components have been described as rings, thick filaments, chain-like filaments, threads covered with proteins, threads with buckles, and naked threads. A quantitative analysis of the occurrence of these components has been carried out. Among them, the thick filaments composed of a compact helical arrangement of small beads 5 nm in diameter were considered to represent the nucleocapsid. The protease-sensitive buckles found on some threads could be a compact form of the viral RNA associated to the nucleocapsid protein NCp10. The RNase-sensitive naked threads are interpreted as the deproteinized viral RNA itself. The ubiquitous chain-like filaments possess a periodic structure identical to that of polymerized type VI collagen. It is proposed that this adhesive protein is associated with the viral envelope taken from the cell membrane during the budding process of retroviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Pager
- Laboratoire de Microscopie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, URA 147 du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
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