Structures of the rare-cutting restriction endonuclease NotI reveal a unique metal binding fold involved in DNA binding

Computational studies on rep and capsid proteins of CRESS DNA viruses

The circular rep-encoding single-stranded DNA viruses (CRESS DNA viruses) are among the smallest, with 2-6 kb ssDNA genomes that encode for a coat protein (C) and a replication protein (R). To comprehend the complexity and divergence of the C and R proteins, we have created predictive structural models of representative viruses infecting unique hosts from each family using the neural network-based method AlphaFold2 and carried out molecular dynamic simulations to assess their stability. The structural characteristics indicate that differences in loops and amino-terminus may play a significant role in facilitating adaptations to multiple hosts and vectors. In comparison to the C, the Rs show a high degree of conservation and structural mimicry of the nuclease-helicase domains of plasmids. A phylogenetic analysis based on the structures and sequences of the C and R proteins reveals evolutionary variances. Our study also highlights the conservation of structural components involved in the interaction of R with the conserved intergenic region of the genome. Further, we envisage that the adaptability of R's central linker may be crucial for establishing interactions with multiple protein partners, including C.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13337-024-00858-x.

The crystal structures of Sau3AI with and without bound DNA suggest a self-activation-based DNA cleavage mechanism

The type II restriction endonuclease Sau3AI cleaves the sequence 5'-GATC-3' in double-strand DNA producing two sticky ends. Sau3AI cuts both DNA strands regardless of methylation status. Here, we report the crystal structures of the active site mutant Sau3AI-E64A and the C-terminal domain Sau3AI-C with a bound GATC substrate. Interestingly, the catalytic site of the N-terminal domain (Sau3AI-N) is spatially blocked by the C-terminal domain, suggesting a potential self-inhibition of the enzyme. Interruption of Sau3AI-C binding to substrate DNA disrupts Sau3AI function, suggesting a functional linkage between the N- and C-terminal domains. We propose that Sau3AI-C behaves as an allosteric effector binding one GATC substrate, which triggers a conformational change to open the N-terminal catalytic site, resulting in the subsequent GATC recognition by Sau3AI-N and cleavage of the second GATC site. Our data indicate that Sau3AI and UbaLAI might represent a new subclass of type IIE restriction enzymes.

Crystal structure of restriction endonuclease Kpn2I of CCGG-family

BACKGROUND

Restriction endonucleases belong to prokaryotic restriction-modification systems, that protect host cells from invading DNA. Type II restriction endonucleases recognize short 4-8 bp sequences in the target DNA and cut both DNA strands producing double strand breaks. Type II restriction endonuclease Kpn2I cleaves 5'-T/CCGGA DNA sequence ("/" marks the cleavage position). Analysis of protein sequences suggested that Kpn2I belongs to the CCGG-family, which contains ten enzymes that recognize diverse nucleotides outside the conserved 5'-CCGG core and share similar motifs for the 5'-CCGG recognition and cleavage.

METHODS

We solved a crystal structure of Kpn2I in a DNA-free form at 2.88 Å resolution. From the crystal structure we predicted active center and DNA recognition residues and tested them by mutational analysis. We estimated oligomeric state of Kpn2I by SEC-MALS and performed plasmid DNA cleavage assay to elucidate DNA cleavage mechanism.

RESULTS

Structure comparison confirmed that Kpn2I shares a conserved active site and structural determinants for the 5'-CCGG tetranucleotide recognition with other restriction endonucleases of the CCGG-family. Guided by structural similarity between Kpn2I and the CCGG-family restriction endonucleases PfoI and AgeI, Kpn2I residues involved in the outer base pair recognition were proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Kpn2I is an orthodox Type IIP restriction endonuclease, which acts as a dimer. Kpn2I shares structural similarity to the CCGG-family restriction endonucleases PfoI, AgeI and PspGI.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Kpn2I structure concluded the studies of the CCGG-family, covering detailed structural and biochemical characterization of eleven restriction enzymes and their complexes with DNA.

A novel family of expression vectors with multiple affinity tags for wheat germ cell-free protein expression

Background

Cell-free protein expression has become a widely used alternative of in vivo, cell-based systems in functional and structural studies of proteins. The wheat germ-based method outstands from the commercially available eukaryotic in vitro translation systems by its flexibility, high translation efficiency and success rate of properly folded eukaryotic protein synthesis. The original T7 promoter containing pEU3-NII vector was improved previously by addition of a ligation-independent cloning site, His₆- and GST-tags, and a TEV protease cleavage site to facilitate the creation of recombinant plasmids, permit affinity purification, and enable production of purified, tag-free target proteins, respectively.

Results

Here, we describe a further development of pEU3-NII vector by inserting the rare-cutting, NotI restriction enzyme cleavage site to simplify vector linearization step prior to in vitro transcription. Additionally, His₁₂, FLAG, and Halo affinity tag coding vectors have been created to increase detection sensitivity, specificity of interaction studies, and provide covalently linkable ligands for pull-down assays, respectively. Finally, the presented GST-His₆, and GST-biotin double-tagging vectors could broaden the range of possibilities of protein-protein interaction studies.

Conclusions

The new generation of pEU3-NII vector family allows a more rapid production of translationally active mRNA and wheat germ cell-free expression of target proteins with a wide variety of affinity tags thus enables designing flexible and diverse experimental arrangement for in vitro studies of proteins.

An Iron Reservoir to the Catalytic Metal: THE RUBREDOXIN IRON IN AN EXTRADIOL DIOXYGENASE

The rubredoxin motif is present in over 74,000 protein sequences and 2,000 structures, but few have known functions. A secondary, non-catalytic, rubredoxin-like iron site is conserved in 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase (HAO), from single cellular sources but not multicellular sources. Through the population of the two metal binding sites with various metals in bacterial HAO, the structural and functional relationship of the rubredoxin-like site was investigated using kinetic, spectroscopic, crystallographic, and computational approaches. It is shown that the first metal presented preferentially binds to the catalytic site rather than the rubredoxin-like site, which selectively binds iron when the catalytic site is occupied. Furthermore, an iron ion bound to the rubredoxin-like site is readily delivered to an empty catalytic site of metal-free HAO via an intermolecular transfer mechanism. Through the use of metal analysis and catalytic activity measurements, we show that a downstream metabolic intermediate can selectively remove the catalytic iron. As the prokaryotic HAO is often crucial for cell survival, there is a need for ensuring its activity. These results suggest that the rubredoxin-like site is a possible auxiliary iron source to the catalytic center when it is lost during catalysis in a pathway with metabolic intermediates of metal-chelating properties. A spare tire concept is proposed based on this biochemical study, and this concept opens up a potentially new functional paradigm for iron-sulfur centers in iron-dependent enzymes as transient iron binding and shuttling sites to ensure full metal loading of the catalytic site.

Analysis of the HindIII-catalyzed reaction by time-resolved crystallography

In order to investigate the mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by HindIII, structures of HindIII-DNA complexes with varying durations of soaking time in cryoprotectant buffer containing manganese ions were determined by the freeze-trap method. In the crystal structures of the complexes obtained after soaking for a longer duration, two manganese ions, indicated by relatively higher electron density, are clearly observed at the two metal ion-binding sites in the active site of HindIII. The increase in the electron density of the two metal-ion peaks followed distinct pathways with increasing soaking times, suggesting variation in the binding rate constant for the two metal sites. DNA cleavage is observed when the second manganese ion appears, suggesting that HindIII uses the two-metal-ion mechanism, or alternatively that its reactivity is enhanced by the binding of the second metal ion. In addition, conformational change in a loop near the active site accompanies the catalytic reaction.

The CRISPR-associated Cas4 protein Pcal_0546 from Pyrobaculum calidifontis contains a [2Fe-2S] cluster: crystal structure and nuclease activity

Cas4 nucleases constitute a core family of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) associated proteins, but little is known about their structure and activity. Here we report the crystal structure of the Cas4 protein Pcal_0546 from Pyrobaculum calidifontis, which revealed a monomeric protein with a RecB-like fold and one [2Fe-2S] cluster coordinated by four conserved Cys residues. Pcal_0546 exhibits metal-dependent 5' to 3' exonuclease activity against ssDNA substrates, whereas the Cas4 protein SSO1391 from Sulfolobus solfataricus can cleave ssDNA in both the 5' to 3' and 3' to 5' directions. The active site of Pcal_0546 contains a bound metal ion coordinated by the side chains of Asp123, Glu136, His146, and the main chain carbonyl of Ile137. Site-directed mutagenesis of Pcal_0546 and SSO1391 revealed that the residues of RecB motifs II, III and QhXXY are critical for nuclease activity, whereas mutations of the conserved Cys residues resulted in a loss of the iron-sulfur cluster, but had no effect on DNA cleavage. Our results revealed the biochemical diversity of Cas4 nucleases, which can have different oligomeric states, contain [4Fe-4S] or [2Fe-2S] clusters, and cleave single stranded DNA in different directions producing single-stranded DNA overhangs, which are potential intermediates for the synthesis of new CRISPR spacers.

Nucleic Acid and Phosphoester Hydrolytic Cleavage Catalysed by Aza-Crown Ether Metal Complexes as Synthetic Nucleases

Aza-crown ethers are ligands in which the oxygen atoms are replaced by nitrogen atoms in the crown ether ring systems. This type of ligand possesses specific complexation with metal ions, such as those of transition-metals, rare earths, alkali metals and alkaline earths, which form metal complexes whose structures are similar to those of some biological enzymes. In recent decades, research on aza-crown ethers and their metal complexes as mimics of nucleases in hydrolysing nucleic acids has attracted increasing attention. These studies illuminate the mechanism of nucleic acid hydrolytic cleavage as catalysed by natural nucleases. In order to assist the design and synthesis of highly active, selective and stable mimic nucleases, this paper reviews recent progress in the investigation of aza-crown ether metal complexes as mimic nucleases, including: the relationship between the structures and activities of synthetic metallonucleases; multicentre synergistic catalysis of metal ions in multinuclear complexes; bifunctional cooperative catalysis of the branches and ions in the complexes; and especially, the structural characteristic and catalytic mechanism of aza-crown ether metal complexes as mimic nucleases.

Type II restriction endonucleases--a historical perspective and more

This article continues the series of Surveys and Summaries on restriction endonucleases (REases) begun this year in Nucleic Acids Research. Here we discuss 'Type II' REases, the kind used for DNA analysis and cloning. We focus on their biochemistry: what they are, what they do, and how they do it. Type II REases are produced by prokaryotes to combat bacteriophages. With extreme accuracy, each recognizes a particular sequence in double-stranded DNA and cleaves at a fixed position within or nearby. The discoveries of these enzymes in the 1970s, and of the uses to which they could be put, have since impacted every corner of the life sciences. They became the enabling tools of molecular biology, genetics and biotechnology, and made analysis at the most fundamental levels routine. Hundreds of different REases have been discovered and are available commercially. Their genes have been cloned, sequenced and overexpressed. Most have been characterized to some extent, but few have been studied in depth. Here, we describe the original discoveries in this field, and the properties of the first Type II REases investigated. We discuss the mechanisms of sequence recognition and catalysis, and the varied oligomeric modes in which Type II REases act. We describe the surprising heterogeneity revealed by comparisons of their sequences and structures.

Kinetic characterization of on-chip DNA ligation on dendron-coated surfaces with nanoscaled lateral spacings

We analyzed the enzymatic profiles of on-chip DNA ligation as we controlled the lateral spacing of surface-immobilized DNA substrates using dendron molecules with different sizes at the nanoscale. Enzymatic on-chip DNA ligation was performed on the dendron-coated surface within 20 min with no need for post-ligation gel electrophoresis. The enzymatic DNA repair was assessed by the fluorescence intensity at the repaired DNA duplex after thermally dissociating the unligated Cy3-labeled DNA from the DNA duplex, in which the Cy3-labeled DNA was hybridized prior to the on-chip DNA ligation. The rate of the nick-sealing reaction on the 27-acid dendron surface was 3-fold higher than that on the 9-acid dendron surface, suggesting that the wider lateral spacing determined by the larger dendron molecule could facilitate the access of DNA ligase to the nick site. The performance of on-chip DNA ligation was dropped to 10% and 3% when the nick was replaced by one- and two-nucleotide-long gaps, respectively. The 5' terminal phosphorylation of DNA strands by polynucleotide kinase and the on-chip DNA cleavage by endonucleases were also quantitatively monitored throughout the on-chip DNA ligation on the dendron-coated surface. A better understanding of the enzymatic kinetics of on-chip DNA ligation will contribute to a more reliable performance of various on-chip DNA ligation-based assays.

Re-visiting protein-centric two-tier classification of existing DNA-protein complexes

Background

Precise DNA-protein interactions play most important and vital role in maintaining the normal physiological functioning of the cell, as it controls many high fidelity cellular processes. Detailed study of the nature of these interactions has paved the way for understanding the mechanisms behind the biological processes in which they are involved. Earlier in 2000, a systematic classification of DNA-protein complexes based on the structural analysis of the proteins was proposed at two tiers, namely groups and families. With the advancement in the number and resolution of structures of DNA-protein complexes deposited in the Protein Data Bank, it is important to revisit the existing classification.

Results

On the basis of the sequence analysis of DNA binding proteins, we have built upon the protein centric, two-tier classification of DNA-protein complexes by adding new members to existing families and making new families and groups. While classifying the new complexes, we also realised the emergence of new groups and families. The new group observed was where β-propeller was seen to interact with DNA. There were 34 SCOP folds which were observed to be present in the complexes of both old and new classifications, whereas 28 folds are present exclusively in the new complexes. Some new families noticed were NarL transcription factor, Z-α DNA binding proteins, Forkhead transcription factor, AP2 protein, Methyl CpG binding protein etc.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that with the increasing number of availability of DNA-protein complexes in Protein Data Bank, the number of families in the classification increased by approximately three fold. The folds present exclusively in newly classified complexes is suggestive of inclusion of proteins with new function in new classification, the most populated of which are the folds responsible for DNA damage repair. The proposed re-visited classification can be used to perform genome-wide surveys in the genomes of interest for the presence of DNA-binding proteins. Further analysis of these complexes can aid in developing algorithms for identifying DNA-binding proteins and their family members from mere sequence information.

Rational engineering of sequence specificity in R.MwoI restriction endonuclease

R.MwoI is a Type II restriction endonucleases enzyme (REase), which specifically recognizes a palindromic interrupted DNA sequence 5′-GCNNNNNNNGC-3′ (where N indicates any nucleotide), and hydrolyzes the phosphodiester bond in the DNA between the 7th and 8th base in both strands. R.MwoI exhibits remote sequence similarity to R.BglI, a REase with known structure, which recognizes an interrupted palindromic target 5′-GCCNNNNNGGC-3′. A homology model of R.MwoI in complex with DNA was constructed and used to predict functionally important amino acid residues that were subsequently targeted by mutagenesis. The model, together with the supporting experimental data, revealed regions important for recognition of the common bases in DNA sequences recognized by R.BglI and R.MwoI. Based on the bioinformatics analysis, we designed substitutions of the S310 residue in R.MwoI to arginine or glutamic acid, which led to enzyme variants with altered sequence selectivity compared with the wild-type enzyme. The S310R variant of R.MwoI preferred the 5′-GCCNNNNNGGC-3′ sequence as a target, similarly to R.BglI, whereas the S310E variant preferentially cleaved a subset of the MwoI sites, depending on the identity of the 3rd and 9th nucleotide residues. Our results represent a case study of a REase sequence specificity alteration by a single amino acid substitution, based on a theoretical model in the absence of a crystal structure.

Sequence, structure and functional diversity of PD-(D/E)XK phosphodiesterase superfamily

Proteins belonging to PD-(D/E)XK phosphodiesterases constitute a functionally diverse superfamily with representatives involved in replication, restriction, DNA repair and tRNA-intron splicing. Their malfunction in humans triggers severe diseases, such as Fanconi anemia and Xeroderma pigmentosum. To date there have been several attempts to identify and classify new PD-(D/E)KK phosphodiesterases using remote homology detection methods. Such efforts are complicated, because the superfamily exhibits extreme sequence and structural divergence. Using advanced homology detection methods supported with superfamily-wide domain architecture and horizontal gene transfer analyses, we provide a comprehensive reclassification of proteins containing a PD-(D/E)XK domain. The PD-(D/E)XK phosphodiesterases span over 21,900 proteins, which can be classified into 121 groups of various families. Eleven of them, including DUF4420, DUF3883, DUF4263, COG5482, COG1395, Tsp45I, HaeII, Eco47II, ScaI, HpaII and Replic_Relax, are newly assigned to the PD-(D/E)XK superfamily. Some groups of PD-(D/E)XK proteins are present in all domains of life, whereas others occur within small numbers of organisms. We observed multiple horizontal gene transfers even between human pathogenic bacteria or from Prokaryota to Eukaryota. Uncommon domain arrangements greatly elaborate the PD-(D/E)XK world. These include domain architectures suggesting regulatory roles in Eukaryotes, like stress sensing and cell-cycle regulation. Our results may inspire further experimental studies aimed at identification of exact biological functions, specific substrates and molecular mechanisms of reactions performed by these highly diverse proteins.

Iron-sulphur clusters in nucleic acid processing enzymes

Several unexpected reports of iron-sulphur clusters in nucleic acid binding proteins have recently appeared in the literature. Once thought to be relatively rare in these systems, iron-sulphur clusters are now known to be essential components of diverse nucleic acid processing machinery including glycosylases, primases, helicases, nucleases, transcription factors, RNA polymerases and RNA methyltransferases. In many cases, the function of the cluster is poorly understood and crystal structures of these iron-sulphur enzymes reveal little in common between them. In this article, we review the recent developments in the field and discuss to what extent there might exist common mechanistic roles for iron-sulphur clusters in nucleic acid enzymes.

Towards artificial metallonucleases for gene therapy: recent advances and new perspectives

The process of DNA targeting or repair of mutated genes within the cell, induced by specifically positioned double-strand cleavage of DNA near the mutated sequence, can be applied for gene therapy of monogenic diseases. For this purpose, highly specific artificial metallonucleases are developed. They are expected to be important future tools of modern genetics. The present state of art and strategies of research are summarized, including protein engineering and artificial ‘chemical’ nucleases. From the results, we learn about the basic role of the metal ions and the various ligands, and about the DNA binding and cleavage mechanism. The results collected provide useful guidance for engineering highly controlled enzymes for use in gene therapy.

Recognition of an expanded genetic alphabet by type-II restriction endonucleases and their application to analyze polymerase fidelity

To explore the possibility of using restriction enzymes in a synthetic biology based on artificially expanded genetic information systems (AEGIS), 24 type-II restriction endonucleases (REases) were challenged to digest DNA duplexes containing recognition sites where individual Cs and Gs were replaced by the AEGIS nucleotides Z and P [respectively, 6-amino-5-nitro-3-(1'-β-D-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-2(1H)-pyridone and 2-amino-8-(1'-β-D-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)-one]. These AEGIS nucleotides implement complementary hydrogen bond donor-donor-acceptor and acceptor-acceptor-donor patterns. Results allowed us to classify type-II REases into five groups based on their performance, and to infer some specifics of their interactions with functional groups in the major and minor grooves of the target DNA. For three enzymes among these 24 where crystal structures are available (BcnI, EcoO109I and NotI), these interactions were modeled. Further, we applied a type-II REase to quantitate the fidelity polymerases challenged to maintain in a DNA duplex C:G, T:A and Z:P pairs through repetitive PCR cycles. This work thus adds tools that are able to manipulate this expanded genetic alphabet in vitro, provides some structural insights into the working of restriction enzymes, and offers some preliminary data needed to take the next step in synthetic biology to use an artificial genetic system inside of living bacterial cells.

Effects of lateral spacing on enzymatic on-chip DNA polymerization

Enzymatic on-chip DNA polymerization can be utilized to elongate surface-bound primers with DNA polymerase and to enhance the signal in the detection of target DNAs on the solid support. In order to investigate the steric effect of the enzymatic reaction on the solid support, we compared the efficiency of on-chip DNA polymerization on a high-density surface with that on a spacing-controlled surface. The spacing-controlled, 9-acid dendron-coated surface exhibited approximately 8-fold higher efficiency of on-chip DNA polymerization compared with the high-density surface. The increase in fluorescence intensity during the on-chip DNA polymerization could be fit to an exponential equation, and the saturation level of the 9-acid dendron slide was 7 times higher than that of the high-density slide. The on-chip DNA polymerization was employed to measure the transcription level of nine genes related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Compared to the high-density surface, the dendron-coated surface exhibited a lower detection limit in the on-chip DNA polymerization and higher correlation with transcription levels as determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Our results suggest that control of the lateral spacing of DNA strands on the solid support should significantly enhance the accessibility of DNA polymerase and the efficiency of the on-chip DNA polymerization.

DNA intercalation without flipping in the specific ThaI-DNA complex

The PD-(D/E)XK type II restriction endonuclease ThaI cuts the target sequence CG/CG with blunt ends. Here, we report the 1.3 Å resolution structure of the enzyme in complex with substrate DNA and a sodium or calcium ion taking the place of a catalytic magnesium ion. The structure identifies Glu54, Asp82 and Lys93 as the active site residues. This agrees with earlier bioinformatic predictions and implies that the PD and (D/E)XK motifs in the sequence are incidental. DNA recognition is very unusual: the two Met47 residues of the ThaI dimer intercalate symmetrically into the CG steps of the target sequence. They approach the DNA from the minor groove side and penetrate the base stack entirely. The DNA accommodates the intercalating residues without nucleotide flipping by a doubling of the CG step rise to twice its usual value, which is accompanied by drastic unwinding. Displacement of the Met47 side chains from the base pair midlines toward the downstream CG steps leads to large and compensating tilts of the first and second CG steps. DNA intercalation by ThaI is unlike intercalation by HincII, HinP1I or proteins that bend or repair DNA.

Folding, DNA recognition, and function of GIY-YIG endonucleases: crystal structures of R.Eco29kI

The GIY-YIG endonuclease family comprises hundreds of diverse proteins and a multitude of functions; none have been visualized bound to DNA. The structure of the GIY-YIG restriction endonuclease R.Eco29kI has been solved both alone and bound to its target site. The protein displays a domain-swapped homodimeric structure with several extended surface loops encircling the DNA. Only three side chains from each protein subunit contact DNA bases, two directly and one via a bridging solvent molecule. Both tyrosine residues within the GIY-YIG motif are positioned in the catalytic center near a putative nucleophilic water; the remainder of the active site resembles the HNH endonuclease family. The structure illustrates how the GIY-YIG scaffold has been adapted for the highly specific recognition of a DNA restriction site, in contrast to nonspecific DNA cleavage by GIY-YIG domains in homing endonucleases or structure-specific cleavage by DNA repair enzymes such as UvrC.

DNA-mediated charge transport in redox sensing and signaling

The transport of charge through the DNA base-pair stack offers a route to carry out redox chemistry at a distance. Here we describe characteristics of this chemistry that have been elucidated and how this chemistry may be utilized within the cell. The shallow distance dependence associated with these redox reactions permits DNA-mediated signaling over long molecular distances in the genome and facilitates the activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors globally in response to oxidative stress. The long-range funneling of oxidative damage to sites of low oxidation potential in the genome also may provide a means of protection within the cell. Furthermore, the sensitivity of DNA charge transport to perturbations in base-pair stacking, as may arise with base lesions and mismatches, may be used as a route to scan the genome for damage as a first step in DNA repair. Thus, the ability of double-helical DNA in mediating redox chemistry at a distance provides a natural mechanism for redox sensing and signaling in the genome.

Engineering BspQI nicking enzymes and application of N.BspQI in DNA labeling and production of single-strand DNA

BspQI is a thermostable Type IIS restriction endonuclease (REase) with the recognition sequence 5'GCTCTTC N1/N4 3'. Here we report the cloning and expression of the bspQIR gene for the BspQI restriction enzyme in Escherichia coli. Alanine scanning of the BspQI charged residues identified a number of DNA nicking variants. After sampling combinations of different amino acid substitutions, an Nt.BspQI triple mutant (E172A/E248A/E255K) was constructed with predominantly top-strand DNA nicking activity. Furthermore, a triple mutant of BspQI (Nb.BspQI, N235A/K331A/R428A) was engineered to create a bottom-strand nicking enzyme. In addition, we demonstrated the application of Nt.BspQI in optical mapping of single DNA molecules. Nt or Nb.BspQI-nicked dsDNA can be further digested by E. coli exonuclease III to create ssDNA for downstream applications. BspQI contains two potential catalytic sites: a top-strand catalytic site (Ct) with a D-H-N-K motif found in the HNH endonuclease family and a bottom-strand catalytic site (Cb) with three scattered Glu residues. BlastP analysis of proteins in GenBank indicated a putative restriction enzyme with significant amino acid sequence identity to BspQI from the sequenced bacterial genome Croceibacter atlanticus HTCC2559. This restriction gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into a T7 expression vector. Restriction mapping and run-off DNA sequencing of digested products from the partially purified enzyme indicated that it is an EarI isoschizomer with 6-bp recognition, which we named CatHI (CTCTTC N1/N4).

Structural mechanisms for the 5'-CCWGG sequence recognition by the N- and C-terminal domains of EcoRII

EcoRII restriction endonuclease is specific for the 5′-CCWGG sequence (W stands for A or T); however, it shows no activity on a single recognition site. To activate cleavage it requires binding of an additional target site as an allosteric effector. EcoRII dimer consists of three structural units: a central catalytic core, made from two copies of the C-terminal domain (EcoRII-C), and two N-terminal effector DNA binding domains (EcoRII-N). Here, we report DNA-bound EcoRII-N and EcoRII-C structures, which show that EcoRII combines two radically different structural mechanisms to interact with the effector and substrate DNA. The catalytic EcoRII-C dimer flips out the central T:A base pair and makes symmetric interactions with the CC:GG half-sites. The EcoRII-N effector domain monomer binds to the target site asymmetrically in a single defined orientation which is determined by specific hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions with the central T:A pair in the major groove. The EcoRII-N mode of the target site recognition is shared by the large class of higher plant transcription factors of the B3 superfamily.

On the divalent metal ion dependence of DNA cleavage by restriction endonucleases of the EcoRI family

Restriction endonucleases of the PD...D/EXK family need Mg(2+) for DNA cleavage. Whereas Mg(2+) (or Mn(2+)) promotes catalysis, Ca(2+) (without Mg(2+)) only supports DNA binding. The role of Mg(2+) in DNA cleavage by restriction endonucleases has elicited many hypotheses, differing mainly in the number of Mg(2+) involved in catalysis. To address this problem, we measured the Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) concentration dependence of DNA cleavage by BamHI, BglII, Cfr10I, EcoRI, EcoRII (catalytic domain), MboI, NgoMIV, PspGI, and SsoII, which were reported in co-crystal structure analyses to bind one (BglII and EcoRI) or two (BamHI and NgoMIV) Me(2+) per active site. DNA cleavage experiments were carried out at various Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) concentrations at constant ionic strength. All enzymes show a qualitatively similar Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) concentration dependence. In general, the Mg(2+) concentration optimum (between approximately 1 and 10 mM) is higher than the Mn(2+) concentration optimum (between approximately 0.1 and 1 mM). At still higher Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) concentrations, the activities of all enzymes tested are reduced but can be reactivated by Ca(2+). Based on these results, we propose that one Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) is critical for restriction enzyme activation, and binding of a second Me(2+) plays a role in modulating the activity. Steady-state kinetics carried out with EcoRI and BamHI suggest that binding of a second Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) mainly leads to an increase in K(m), such that the inhibitory effect of excess Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) can be overcome by increasing the substrate concentration. Our conclusions are supported by molecular dynamics simulations and are consistent with the structural observations of both one and two Me(2+) binding to these enzymes.

An iron-sulfur cluster is essential for the binding of broken DNA by AddAB-type helicase-nucleases

The bacterial helicase-nuclease complex AddAB converts double-stranded DNA breaks into substrates for RecA-dependent recombinational repair. Here we show that the AddB subunit contains a novel class of nuclease domain distinguished by the presence of an iron-sulfur cluster. The cluster is coordinated by an unusual arrangement of cysteine residues that originate from both sides of the AddB nuclease, forming an "iron staple" that is required for the local structural integrity of this domain. Disruption of the iron-sulfur cluster by mutagenesis eliminates the ability of AddAB to bind to duplex DNA ends without affecting the single-stranded DNA-dependent ATPase activity. Sequence analysis suggests that a related iron staple nuclease domain is present in the eukaryotic DNA replication/repair factor Dna2, where it is also associated with a DNA helicase motor.

The structure of SgrAI bound to DNA; recognition of an 8 base pair target

The three-dimensional X-ray crystal structure of the 'rare cutting' type II restriction endonuclease SgrAI bound to cognate DNA is presented. SgrAI forms a dimer bound to one duplex of DNA. Two Ca(2+) bind in the enzyme active site, with one ion at the interface between the protein and DNA, and the second bound distal from the DNA. These sites are differentially occupied by Mn(2+), with strong binding at the protein-DNA interface, but only partial occupancy of the distal site. The DNA remains uncleaved in the structures from crystals grown in the presence of either divalent cation. The structure of the dimer of SgrAI is similar to those of Cfr10I, Bse634I and NgoMIV, however no tetrameric structure of SgrAI is observed. DNA contacts to the central CCGG base pairs of the SgrAI canonical target sequence (CR|CCGGYG, | marks the site of cleavage) are found to be very similar to those in the NgoMIV/DNA structure (target sequence G|CCGGC). Specificity at the degenerate YR base pairs of the SgrAI sequence may occur via indirect readout using DNA distortion. Recognition of the outer GC base pairs occurs through a single contact to the G from an arginine side chain located in a region unique to SgrAI.