NMR assignments and secondary structure of the UvrC binding domain of UvrB

NMR analysis of [methyl-13C]methionine UvrB from Bacillus caldotenax reveals UvrB-domain 4 heterodimer formation in solution

UvrB is a central DNA damage recognition protein involved in bacterial nucleotide excision repair. Structural information has been limited by the apparent disorder of the C-terminal domain 4 in crystal structures of intact UvrB; in solution, the isolated domain 4 is found to form a helix-loop-helix dimer. In order to gain insight into the behavior of UvrB in solution, we have performed NMR studies on [methyl-13C]methionine-labeled UvrB from Bacillus caldotenax (molecular mass=75 kDa). The 13 methyl resonances were assigned on the basis of site-directed mutagenesis and domain deletion. Solvent accessibility was assessed based on the relaxation and chemical shift responses of the probe methyl resonances to the stable nitroxide, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPOL). M632, located at the potential dimer interface of domain 4, provides an ideal probe for UvrB dimerization behavior. The M632 resonance of UvrB is very broad, consistent with some degree of monomer-dimer exchange and/or conformational instability of the exposed dimer interface. Upon addition of unlabeled domain 4 peptide, the M632 resonance of UvrB sharpens and shifts to a position consistent with a UvrB-domain 4 heterodimer. A dissociation constant (KD) value of 3.3 microM for the binding constant of UvrB with the domain 4 peptide was derived from surface plasmon resonance studies. Due to the flexibility of the domain 3-4 linker, inferred from limited proteolysis data and from the relaxation behavior of linker residue M607, the position of domain 4 is constrained not by the stiffness of the linking segment but by direct interactions with domains 1-3 in UvrB. In summary, UvrB homodimerization is disfavored, while domain 4 homodimerization and UvrB-domain 4 heterodimerization are allowed.

Dynamics of the UvrABC nucleotide excision repair proteins analyzed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

UvrB plays a key role in bacterial nucleotide excision repair. It is the ultimate damage-binding protein that interacts with both UvrA and UvrC. The oligomeric state of UvrB and the UvrAB complex have been subject of debate for a long time. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between GFP and YFP fused to the C-terminal end of Escherichia coli UvrB, we unambiguously show that in solution two UvrB subunits bind to UvrA, most likely as part of a UvrA2B2 complex. This complex is most stable when both UvrA and UvrB are in the ATP-bound form. Analysis of a truncated form of UvrB shows that binding to UvrA promotes dimerization of the two C-terminal domain 4 regions of UvrB. The presence of undamaged DNA leads to dissociation of the UvrA2B2 complex, but when the ATPase site of UvrB is inactivated, the complex is trapped on the DNA. When the complex is bound to a damaged site, FRET between the two UvrB subunits could still be detected, but only as long as UvrA remains associated. Dissociation of UvrA from the damage-bound UvrB dimer leads to the reduction of the magnitude of the FRET signal, indicating that the domain 4 regions no longer interact. We propose that the UvrA-induced dimerization of the domain 4 regions serves to shield these domains from premature UvrC binding. Only after specific binding of the UvrB dimer to a damaged site and subsequent release of UvrA is the contact between the domain 4 regions broken, allowing recruitment of UvrC and subsequent incisions.

Binding of the UvrB dimer to non-damaged and damaged DNA: residues Y92 and Y93 influence the stability of both subunits

UvrB is the ultimate damage-binding protein in bacterial nucleotide excision repair. Previous AFM experiments have indicated that UvrB binds to a damage as a dimer. In this paper we visualize for the first time a UvrB dimer in a gel retardation assay, with the second subunit (B2) more loosely bound than the subunit (B1) that interacts with the damage. A beta-hairpin motif in UvrB plays an important role in damage specific binding. Alanine substitutions of Y92 or Y93 in the beta-hairpin result in proteins that kill E. coli cells as a consequence of incision in non-damaged DNA. Apparently, both residues are needed to prevent binding of UvrB to non-damaged DNA. The lethality of Y93A results from UvrC-mediated incisions, whereas that of Y92A is due to incisions by Cho. This difference could be ascribed to a difference in stability of the B2 subunit in the mutant UvrB-DNA complexes. We show that for 3' incision UvrC needs to displace this second UvrB subunit from the complex, whereas Cho seems capable to incise the dimer-complex. Footprint analysis of the contacts of UvrB with damaged DNA revealed that the B2 subunit interacts with the flanking DNA at the 3' side of the lesion. The B2 subunit of mutant Y92A appeared to be more firmly associated with the DNA, indicating that even when B1 is bound to a lesion, the B2 subunit probes the adjacent DNA for presence of damage. We propose this to be a reflection of the process that the UvrB dimer uses to find lesions in the DNA. In addition to preventing binding to non-damaged DNA, the Y92 and Y93 residues appear also important for making specific contacts (of B1) with the damaged site. We show that the concerted action of the two tyrosines lead to a conformational change in the DNA surrounding the lesion, which is required for the 3' incision reaction.

Structural and functional characterization of the human DNA repair helicase XPD by comparative molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis of the bacterial repair protein UvrB

A molecular model for the human nucleotide excision repair protein, XPD, was developed based on the structural and functional relationship of the protein with a bacterial nucleotide excision repair (NER) protein, UvrB. Whereas XPD does not share significant sequence identity with UvrB, the proteins share seven highly conserved helicase motifs that define a common protein structural template. They also have similar functional roles in their ATPase activity and the ability to unwind DNA and verify damaged strands in the process of NER. The validity of using the crystal structure of UvrB as a template for the development of an XPD model was tested by mimicking human disease-causing mutations (XPD: R112H, D234N, R601L) in UvrB (E110R, D338N, R506A) and by mutating two highly conserved residues (XPD, His-237 and Asp-609; UvrB, H341A and D510A). The XPD structural model can be employed in understanding the molecular mechanism of XPD human disease causing mutations. The value of this XPD model demonstrates the generalized approach for the prediction of the structure of a mammalian protein based on the crystal structure of a structurally and functionally related bacterial protein sharing extremely low sequence identity (<15%).

The presence of two UvrB subunits in the UvrAB complex ensures damage detection in both DNA strands

It is generally accepted that the damage recognition complex of nucleotide excision repair in Escherichia coli consists of two UvrA and one UvrB molecule, and that in the preincision complex UvrB binds to the damage as a monomer. Using scanning force microscopy, we show here that the damage recognition complex consists of two UvrA and two UvrB subunits, with the DNA wrapped around one of the UvrB monomers. Upon binding the damage and release of the UvrA subunits, UvrB remains a dimer in the preincision complex. After association with the UvrC protein, one of the UvrB monomers is released. We propose a model in which the presence of two UvrB subunits ensures damage recognition in both DNA strands. Upon binding of the UvrA(2)B(2) complex to a putative damaged site, the DNA wraps around one of the UvrB monomers, which will subsequently probe one of the DNA strands for the presence of a lesion. When no damage is found, the DNA will wrap around the second UvrB subunit, which will check the other strand for aberrations.

Cho, a second endonuclease involved in Escherichia coli nucleotide excision repair

Nucleotide excision repair removes damages from the DNA by incising the damaged strand on the 3' and 5' sides of the lesion. In Escherichia coli, the two incisions are made by the UvrC protein, which consists of two functional halves. The N-terminal half contains the catalytic site for 3' incision and the C-terminal half contains the residues involved in 5' incision. The genome of E. coli contains an SOS-inducible gene (ydjQ) encoding a protein that is homologous to the N-terminal half of UvrC. In this paper we show that this protein, which we refer to as Cho (UvrC homologue), can incise the DNA at the 3' side of a lesion during nucleotide excision repair. The incision site of Cho is located 4 nt further away from the damage compared with the 3' incision site of UvrC. Cho and UvrC bind to different domains of UvrB, which is probably the reason of the shift in incision position. Some damaged substrates that are poorly incised by UvrC are very efficiently incised by Cho. We propose that E. coli uses Cho for repair of such damages in vivo. Initially, most of the lesions in the cell will be repaired by the action of UvrC alone. Remaining damages, that for structural reasons obstruct the 3' incision by UvrC, will be repaired by the combined action of Cho (for 3' incision) and UvrC (for 5' incision).

Solution structure, hydrodynamics and thermodynamics of the UvrB C-terminal domain

The solution structure, thermodynamic stability and hydrodynamic properties of the 55-residue C-terminal domain of UvrB that interacts with UvrC during excision repair in E. coli have been determined using a combination of high resolution NMR, ultracentrifugation, 15N NMR relaxation, gel permeation, NMR diffusion, circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry. The subunit molecular weight is 7,438 kDa., compared with 14.5+/-1.0 kDa. determined by equilibrium sedimentation, indicating a dimeric structure. The structure determined from NMR showed a stable dimer of anti-parallel helical hairpins that associate in an unusual manner, with a small and hydrophobic interface. The Stokes radius of the protein decreases from a high plateau value (ca. 22 A) at protein concentrations greater than 4 microM to about 18 A at concentrations less than 0.1 microM. The concentration and temperature-dependence of the far UV circular dichroism show that the protein is thermally stable (Tm ca. 71.5 degrees C at 36 microM). The simplest model consistent with these data was a dimer dissociating into folded monomers that then unfolds co-operatively. The van't Hoff enthalpy and dissociation constant for both transition was derived by fitting, with deltaH1=23 kJ mol(-1). K1(298)=0.4 microM and deltaH2= 184 kJ mol(-1). This is in good agreement with direct calorimetric analysis of the thermal unfolding of the protein, which gave a calorimetric enthalpy change of 181 kJ mol(-1) and a van't Hoff enthalpy change of 354 kJ mol(-1), confirming the dimer to monomer unfolding. The thermodynamic data can be reconciled with the observed mode of dimerisation. 15N NMR relaxation measurements at 14.1 T and 11.75 T confirmed that the protein behaves as an asymmetric dimer at mM concentrations, with a flexible N-terminal linker for attachment to the remainder of the UvrB protein. The role of dimerisation of this domain in the excision repair mechanism is discussed.

Role of ATP hydrolysis by UvrA and UvrB during nucleotide excision repair

Nucleotide excision repair in eubacteria is a process that repairs DNA damages by the removal of a 12-13-mer oligonucleotide containing the lesion. Recognition and cleavage of the damaged DNA is a multistep ATP-dependent reaction that requires the UvrA, UvrB and UvrC proteins. Both UvrA and UvrB are ATPases, with UvrA having two ATP binding sites which have the characteristic signature of the family of ABC proteins and UvrB having one ATP binding site that is structurally related to that of helicases.

The nucleotide excision repair protein UvrB, a helicase-like enzyme with a catch

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a universal DNA repair mechanism found in all three kingdoms of life. Its ability to repair a broad range of DNA lesions sets NER apart from other repair mechanisms. NER systems recognize the damaged DNA strand and cleave it 3', then 5' to the lesion. After the oligonucleotide containing the lesion is removed, repair synthesis fills the resulting gap. UvrB is the central component of bacterial NER. It is directly involved in distinguishing damaged from undamaged DNA and guides the DNA from recognition to repair synthesis. Recently solved structures of UvrB from different organisms represent the first high-resolution view into bacterial NER. The structures provide detailed insight into the domain architecture of UvrB and, through comparison, suggest possible domain movements. The structure of UvrB consists of five domains. Domains 1a and 3 bind ATP at the inter-domain interface and share high structural similarity to helicases of superfamilies I and II. Not related to helicase structures, domains 2 and 4 are involved in interactions with either UvrA or UvrC, whereas domain 1b was implicated for DNA binding. The structures indicate that ATP binding and hydrolysis is associated with domain motions. UvrB's ATPase activity, however, is not coupled to the separation of long DNA duplexes as in helicases, but rather leads to the formation of the preincision complex with the damaged DNA substrate. The location of conserved residues and structural comparisons with helicase-DNA structures suggest how UvrB might bind to DNA. A model of the UvrB-DNA interaction in which a beta-hairpin of UvrB inserts between the DNA double strand has been proposed recently. This padlock model is developed further to suggest two distinct consequences of domain motion: in the UvrA(2)B-DNA complex, domain motions lead to translocation along the DNA, whereas in the tight UvrB-DNA pre-incision complex, they lead to distortion of the 3' incision site.

Comparison of the solution conformation and dynamics of antifreeze glycoproteins from Antarctic fish

The (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectra of antifreeze glycoprotein fractions 1-5 from Antarctic cod have been assigned, and the dynamics have been measured using (13)C relaxation at two temperatures. The chemical shifts and absence of non-sequential (1)H-(1)H NOEs are inconsistent with a folded, compact structure. (13)C relaxation measurements show that the protein has no significant long-range order, and that the local correlation times are adequately described by a random coil model. Hydroxyl protons of the sugar residues were observed at low temperature, and the presence of exchange-mediated ROEs to the sugar indicate extensive hydration. The conformational properties of AFGP1-5 are compared with those of the previously examined 14-mer analog AFGP8, which contains proline residues in place of some alanine residues (Lane, A. N., L. M. Hays, R. E. Feeney, L. M. Crowe, and J. H. Crowe. 1998. Protein Sci. 7:1555-1563). The infrared (IR) spectra of AFGP8 and AFGP1-5 in the amide I region are quite different. The presence of a wide distribution of backbone torsion angles in AFGP1-5 leads to a rich spectrum of frequencies in the IR spectrum, as interconversion among conformational states is slow on the IR frequency time scale. However, these transitions are fast on the NMR chemical shift time scales. The restricted motions for AFGP8 may imply a narrower distribution of possible o, psi angles, as is observed in the IR spectrum. This has significance for attempts to quantify secondary structures of proteins by IR in the presence of extensive loops.

The role of ATP binding and hydrolysis by UvrB during nucleotide excision repair

We have isolated UvrB-DNA complexes by capture of biotinylated damaged DNA substrates on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. With this method the UvrB-DNA preincision complex remains stable even in the absence of ATP. For the binding of UvrC to the UvrB-DNA complex no cofactor is needed. The subsequent induction of 3' incision does require ATP binding by UvrB but not hydrolysis. This ATP binding induces a conformational change in the DNA, resulting in the appearance of the DNase I-hypersensitive site at the 5' side of the damage. In contrast, the 5' incision is not dependent on ATP binding because it occurs with the same efficiency with ADP. We show with competition experiments that both incision reactions are induced by the binding of the same UvrC molecule. A DNA substrate containing damage close to the 5' end of the damaged strand is specifically bound by UvrB in the absence of UvrA and ATP (Moolenaar, G. F., Monaco, V., van der Marel, G. A., van Boom, J. H., Visse, R., and Goosen, N. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 8038-8043). To initiate the formation of an active UvrBC-DNA incision complex, however, UvrB first needs to hydrolyze ATP, and subsequently a new ATP molecule must be bound. Implications of these findings for the mechanism of the UvrA-mediated formation of the UvrB-DNA preincision complex will be discussed.

Crystal structure of Escherichia coli UvrB C-terminal domain, and a model for UvrB-uvrC interaction

A crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of Escherichia coli UvrB (UvrB') has been solved to 3.0 A resolution. The domain adopts a helix-loop-helix fold which is stabilised by the packing of hydrophobic side-chains between helices. From the UvrB' fold, a model for a domain of UvrC (UvrC') that has high sequence homology with UvrB' has been made. In the crystal, a dimerisation of UvrB domains is seen involving specific hydrophobic and salt bridge interactions between residues in and close to the loop region of the domain. It is proposed that a homologous mode of interaction may occur between UvrB and UvrC. This interaction is likely to be flexible, potentially spanning > 50 A.