Bacteriophage T7 Deoxyribonucleic acid replication in vitro. A protein of Escherichia coli required for bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase activity

DNA Helicase-Polymerase Coupling in Bacteriophage DNA Replication

Bacteriophages have long been model systems to study the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication. During DNA replication, a DNA helicase and a DNA polymerase cooperatively unwind the parental DNA. By surveying recent data from three bacteriophage replication systems, we summarized the mechanistic basis of DNA replication by helicases and polymerases. Kinetic data have suggested that a polymerase or a helicase alone is a passive motor that is sensitive to the base-pairing energy of the DNA. When coupled together, the helicase-polymerase complex is able to unwind DNA actively. In bacteriophage T7, helicase and polymerase reside right at the replication fork where the parental DNA is separated into two daughter strands. The two motors pull the two daughter strands to opposite directions, while the polymerase provides a separation pin to split the fork. Although independently evolved and containing different replisome components, bacteriophage T4 replisome shares mechanistic features of Hel-Pol coupling that are similar to T7. Interestingly, in bacteriophages with a limited size of genome like Φ29, DNA polymerase itself can form a tunnel-like structure, which encircles the DNA template strand and facilitates strand displacement synthesis in the absence of a helicase. Studies on bacteriophage replication provide implications for the more complicated replication systems in bacteria, archaeal, and eukaryotic systems, as well as the RNA genome replication in RNA viruses.

Redox-dependent and redox-independent functions of Caenorhabditis elegans thioredoxin 1

Thioredoxins (TRX) are traditionally considered as enzymes catalyzing redox reactions. However, redox-independent functions of thioredoxins have been described in different organisms, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are yet unknown. We report here the characterization of the first generated endogenous redox-inactive thioredoxin in an animal model, the TRX-1 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that TRX-1 dually regulates the formation of an endurance larval stage (dauer) by interacting with the insulin pathway in a redox-independent manner and the cGMP pathway in a redox-dependent manner. Moreover, the requirement of TRX-1 for the extended longevity of worms with compromised insulin signalling or under calorie restriction relies on TRX-1 redox activity. In contrast, the nuclear translocation of the SKN-1 transcription factor and increased LIPS-6 protein levels in the intestine upon trx-1 deficiency are strictly redox-independent. Finally, we identify a novel function of C. elegans TRX-1 in male food-leaving behaviour that is redox-dependent. Taken together, our results position C. elegans as an ideal model to gain mechanistic insight into the redox-independent functions of metazoan thioredoxins, overcoming the limitations imposed by the embryonic lethal phenotypes of thioredoxin mutants in higher organisms.

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C. elegans expressing endogenous “redox-dead” TRX-1 are viable.

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The extended lifespan extension of worm daf-2 and eat-2 mutants and the food-leaving behaviour of C. elegans males requires a redox-active TRX-1.

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The SKN-1 nuclear translocation and increased lips-6 expression upon TRX-1 deficiency is redox-independent.

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TRX-1 regulates dauer formation by both redox-dependent and redox-independent mechanisms.

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C. elegans is an ideal model to interrogate on the molecular mechanisms underlying the redox-independent functions of metazoan thioredoxins.

It seems like only yesterday

I spent my childhood and adolescence in North and South Carolina, attended Duke University, and then entered Duke Medical School. One year in the laboratory of George Schwert in the biochemistry department kindled my interest in biochemistry. After one year of residency on the medical service of Duke Hospital, chaired by Eugene Stead, I joined the group of Arthur Kornberg at Stanford Medical School as a postdoctoral fellow. Two years later I accepted a faculty position at Harvard Medical School, where I remain today. During these 50 years, together with an outstanding group of students, postdoctoral fellows, and collaborators, I have pursued studies on DNA replication. I have experienced the excitement of discovering a number of important enzymes in DNA replication that, in turn, triggered an interest in the dynamics of a replisome. My associations with industry have been stimulating and fostered new friendships. I could not have chosen a better career.

Bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase - sequenase

An ideal DNA polymerase for chain-terminating DNA sequencing should possess the following features: (1) incorporate dideoxy- and other modified nucleotides at an efficiency similar to that of the cognate deoxynucleotides; (2) high processivity; (3) high fidelity in the absence of proofreading/exonuclease activity; and (4) production of clear and uniform signals for detection. The DNA polymerase encoded by bacteriophage T7 is naturally endowed with or can be engineered to have all these characteristics. The chemically or genetically modified enzyme (Sequenase) expedited significantly the development of DNA sequencing technology. This article reviews the history of studies on T7 DNA polymerase with emphasis on the serial key steps leading to its use in DNA sequencing. Lessons from the study and development of T7 DNA polymerase have and will continue to enlighten the characterization of novel DNA polymerases from newly discovered microbes and their modification for use in biotechnology.

Thioredoxin, the processivity factor, sequesters an exposed cysteine in the thumb domain of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase

Gene 5 protein (gp5) of bacteriophage T7 is a non-processive DNA polymerase. It achieves processivity by binding to Escherichia coli thioredoxin (trx). gp5/trx complex binds tightly to a primer-DNA template enabling the polymerization of hundreds of nucleotides per binding event. gp5 contains 10 cysteines. Under non-reducing condition, exposed cysteines form intermolecular disulfide linkages resulting in the loss of polymerase activity. No disulfide linkage is detected when Cys-275 and Cys-313 are replaced with serines. Cys-275 and Cys-313 are located on loop A and loop B of the thioredoxin binding domain, respectively. Replacement of either cysteine with serine (gp5-C275S, gp5-C313S) drastically decreases polymerase activity of gp5 on dA(350)/dT(25). On this primer-template gp5/trx in which Cys-313 or Cys-275 is replaced with serine have 50 and 90%, respectively, of the polymerase activity observed with wild-type gp5/trx. With single-stranded M13 DNA as a template gp5-C275S/trx retains 60% of the polymerase activity of wild-type gp5/trx. In contrast, gp5-C313S/trx has only one-tenth of the polymerase activity of wild-type gp5/trx on M13 DNA. Both wild-type gp5/trx and gp5-C275S/trx catalyze the synthesis of the entire complementary strand of M13 DNA, whereas gp5-C313S/trx has difficulty in synthesizing DNA through sites of secondary structure. gp5-C313S fails to form a functional complex with trx as measured by the apparent binding affinity as well as by the lack of a physical interaction with thioredoxin during hydroxyapatite-phosphate chromatography. Small angle x-ray scattering reveals an elongated conformation of gp5-C313S in comparison to a compact and spherical conformation of wild-type gp5.

DNA ligases from thermophilic bacteria enhance PCR amplification of long DNA sequences

Bacterial NAD-dependent Taq and Tth DNA ligases are capable of significantly increasing the yield of long PCR products when the amplification is carried out using bacterial family A DNA polymerases, e.g. Taq or Tth DNA polymerases, or with enzymatic blends containing these polymerases. We also show that Taq and Tth DNA ligases improve the results of PCR in the absence of NAD and therefore in the absence of DNA ligase activity. These observations suggest that bacterial DNA ligases can interact with these DNA polymerases, presumably as accessory proteins, thereby enhancing the efficiency of DNA polymerization.

Motors, switches, and contacts in the replisome

Replisomes are the protein assemblies that replicate DNA. They function as molecular motors to catalyze template-mediated polymerization of nucleotides, unwinding of DNA, the synthesis of RNA primers, and the assembly of proteins on DNA. The replisome of bacteriophage T7 contains a minimum of proteins, thus facilitating its study. This review describes the molecular motors and coordination of their activities, with emphasis on the T7 replisome. Nucleotide selection, movement of the polymerase, binding of the processivity factor, unwinding of DNA, and RNA primer synthesis all require conformational changes and protein contacts. Lagging-strand synthesis is mediated via a replication loop whose formation and resolution is dictated by switches to yield Okazaki fragments of discrete size. Both strands are synthesized at identical rates, controlled by a molecular brake that halts leading-strand synthesis during primer synthesis. The helicase serves as a reservoir for polymerases that can initiate DNA synthesis at the replication fork. We comment on the differences in other systems where applicable.

Experimental and computational analysis of DNA unwinding and polymerization kinetics

DNA unwinding and polymerization are complex processes involving many intermediate species in the reactions. Our understanding of these processes is limited because the rates of the reactions or the existence of intermediate species is not apparent without specially designed experimental techniques and data analysis procedures. In this chapter we describe how pre-steady state and single-turnover measurements analyzed by model-based methods can be used for estimating the elementary rate constants. Using the hexameric helicase and the DNA polymerase from bacteriophage T7 as model systems, we provide stepwise procedures for measuring the kinetics of the reactions they catalyze based on radioactivity and fluorescence. We also describe analysis of the experimental measurements using publicly available models and software gfit ( http://gfit.sf.net ).

An artificial processivity clamp made with streptavidin facilitates oriented attachment of polymerase-DNA complexes to surfaces

Single molecule analysis of individual enzymes can require oriented immobilization of the subject molecules on a detection surface. As part of a technology development project for single molecule DNA sequencing, we faced the multiple challenges of immobilizing both a DNA polymerase and its DNA template together in an active, stable complex capable of highly processive DNA synthesis on a nonstick surface. Here, we report the genetic modification of the archaeal DNA polymerase 9°N in which two biotinylated peptide ‘legs’ are inserted at positions flanking the DNA-binding cleft. Streptavidin binding on either side of the cleft both traps the DNA template in the polymerase and orients the complex on a biotinylated surface. We present evidence that purified polymerase–DNA–streptavidin complexes are active both in solution and immobilized on a surface. Processivity is improved from <20 nt in the unmodified polymerase to several thousand nucleotides in the engineered complexes. High-molecular weight DNA synthesized by immobilized complexes is observed moving above the surface even as it remains tethered to the polymerase. Pre-formed polymerase–DNA–streptavidin complexes can be stored frozen and subsequently thawed without dissociation or loss of activity, making them convenient for use in single molecule analysis.

Primase-based whole genome amplification

In vitro DNA amplification methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), rely on synthetic oligonucleotide primers for initiation of the reaction. In vivo, primers are synthesized on-template by DNA primase. The bacteriophage T7 gene 4 protein (gp4) has both primase and helicase activities. In this study, we report the development of a primase-based Whole Genome Amplification (pWGA) method, which utilizes gp4 primase to synthesize primers, eliminating the requirement of adding synthetic primers. Typical yield of pWGA from 1 ng to 10 ng of human genomic DNA input is in the microgram range, reaching over a thousand-fold amplification after 1 h of incubation at 37°C. The amplification bias on human genomic DNA is 6.3-fold among 20 loci on different chromosomes. In addition to amplifying total genomic DNA, pWGA can also be used for detection and quantification of contaminant DNA in a sample when combined with a fluorescent reporter dye. When circular DNA is used as template in pWGA, 10⁸-fold of amplification is observed from as low as 100 copies of input. The high efficiency of pWGA in amplifying circular DNA makes it a potential tool in diagnosis and genotyping of circular human DNA viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV).

Archaeal dUTPase enhances PCR amplifications with archaeal DNA polymerases by preventing dUTP incorporation

We discovered a thermostable enzyme from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu), which increases yields of PCR product amplified with Pfu DNA polymerase. A high molecular mass (>250 kDa) complex with PCR-enhancing activity was purified from Pfu extracts. The complex is a multimer of two discrete proteins, P45 and P50, with significant similarity to bacterial dCTP deaminase/dUTPase and DNA flavoprotein, respectively. When tested in PCR, only recombinant P45 exhibited enhancing activity. P45 was shown to function as a dUTPase, converting dUTP to dUMP and inorganic pyrophosphate. Pfu dUTPase improves the yield of products amplified with Pfu DNA polymerase by preventing dUTP incorporation and subsequent inhibition of the polymerase by dU-containing DNA. dUTP was found to accumulate during PCR through dCTP deamination and to limit the efficiency of PCRs carried out with archaeal DNA polymerases. In the absence of dUTP inhibition, the combination of cloned Pfu DNA polymerase and Pfu dUTPase (PfuTurbo DNA polymerase) can amplify longer targets in higher yield than Taq DNA polymerase. In vivo, archaeal dUTPases may play an essential role in preventing dUTP incorporation and inhibition of DNA synthesis by family B DNA polymerases.

A Mutation in the gene-encoding bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase that renders the phage temperature-sensitive

Gene 5 of bacteriophage T7 encodes a DNA polymerase essential for phage replication. A single point mutation in gene 5 confers temperature sensitivity for phage growth. The mutation results in an alanine to valine substitution at residue 73 in the exonuclease domain. Upon infection of Escherichia coli by the temperature-sensitive phage at 42 degrees C, there is no detectable T7 DNA synthesis in vivo. DNA polymerase activity in these phage-infected cell extracts is undetectable at assay temperatures of 30 degrees C or 42 degrees C. Upon infection at 30 degrees C, both DNA synthesis in vivo and DNA polymerase activity in cell extracts assayed at 30 degrees C or 42 degrees C approach levels observed using wild-type T7 phage. The amount of soluble gene 5 protein produced at 42 degrees C is comparable to that produced at 30 degrees C, indicating that the temperature-sensitive phenotype is not due to reduced expression, stability, or solubility. Thus the polymerase induced at elevated temperatures by the temperature-sensitive phage is functionally inactive. Consistent with this observation, biochemical properties and heat inactivation profiles of the genetically altered enzyme over-produced at 30 degrees C closely resemble that of wild-type T7 DNA polymerase. It is likely that the polymerase produced at elevated temperatures is a misfolded intermediate in its folding pathway.

Fidelity and damage bypass ability of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Eso1 protein, comprised of DNA polymerase eta and sister chromatid cohesion protein Ctf7

DNA polymerase eta (Poleta) functions in error-free bypass of ultraviolet light-induced DNA lesions, and mutational inactivation of Poleta in humans causes the cancer prone syndrome, the variant form of xeroderma pigmentosum (XPV). Both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human Poleta efficiently insert two adenines opposite the two thymines of a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer. Interestingly, in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the eso1(+) encoded protein is comprised of two domains, wherein the NH(2) terminus is highly homologous to Poleta, and the COOH terminus is highly homologous to the S. cerevisiae Ctf7 protein which is essential for the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion during S phase. Here we characterize the DNA polymerase activity of S. pombe GST-Eso1 fusion protein and a truncated version containing only the Poleta domain. Both proteins exhibit a similar DNA polymerase activity with a low processivity, and steady-state kinetic analyses show that on undamaged DNA, both proteins misincorporate nucleotides with frequencies of approximately 10(-2) to 10(-3). We also examine the two proteins for their ability to replicate a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer-containing DNA template and find that both proteins replicate through the lesion equally well. Thus, fusion with Ctf7 has no significant effect on the DNA replication or damage bypass properties of Poleta. The possible role of Ctf7 fusion with Poleta in the replication of Cohesin-bound DNA sequences is discussed.

Role of the C-terminal residue of the DNA polymerase of bacteriophage T7

The crystal structure of the DNA polymerase encoded by gene 5 of bacteriophage T7, in a complex with its processivity factor, Escherichia coli thioredoxin, a primer-template, and an incoming deoxynucleoside triphosphate reveals a putative hydrogen bond between the C-terminal residue, histidine 704 of gene 5 protein, and an oxygen atom on the penultimate phosphate diester of the primer strand. Elimination of this electrostatic interaction by replacing His(704) with alanine renders the phage nonviable, and no DNA synthesis is observed in vivo. Polymerase activity of the genetically altered enzyme on primed M13 DNA is only 12% of the wild-type enzyme, and its processivity is drastically reduced. Kinetic parameters for binding a primer-template (K(D)(app)), nucleotide binding (K(m)), and k(off) for dissociation of the altered polymerase from a primer-template are not significantly different from that of wild-type T7 DNA polymerase. However, the decrease in polymerase activity is concomitant with increased hydrolytic activity, judging from the turnover of nucleoside triphosphate into the corresponding nucleoside monophosphate (percentage of turnover, 65%) during DNA synthesis. Biochemical data along with structural observations imply that the terminal amino acid residue of T7 DNA polymerase plays a critical role in partitioning DNA between the polymerase and exonuclease sites.

A structural basis for processivity

The structures of a number of processive enzymes have been determined recently. These proteins remain attached to their polymeric substrates and may perform thousands of rounds of catalysis before dissociating. Based on the degree of enclosure of the substrate, the structures fall into two broad categories. In one group, the substrate is partially enclosed, while in the other class, enclosure is complete. In the latter case, enclosure is achieved by way of an asymmetric structure for some enzymes while others use a symmetrical toroid. In those cases where the protein completely encloses its polymeric substrate, the two are topologically linked and an immediate explanation for processivity is provided. In cases where there is only partial enclosure, the structural basis for processivity is less obvious. There are, for example, pairs of proteins that have quite similar structures but differ substantially in their processivity. It does appear, however, that the enzymes that are processive tend to be those that more completely enclose their substrates. In general terms, proteins that do not use topological restraint appear to achieve processivity by using a large interaction surface. This allows the enzyme to bind with moderate affinity at a multitude of adjacent sites distributed along its polymeric substrate. At the same time, the use of a large interaction surface minimizes the possibility that the enzyme might bind at a small number of sites with much higher affinity, which would interfere with sliding. Proteins that can both slide along a polymeric substrate, and, as well, recognize highly specific sites (e.g., some site-specific DNA-binding proteins) appear to undergo a conformational change between the cognate and noncognate-binding modes.

Structure of the catalytic core of S. cerevisiae DNA polymerase eta: implications for translesion DNA synthesis

DNA polymerase eta is unique among eukaryotic polymerases in its proficient ability to replicate through a variety of distorting DNA lesions. We report here the crystal structure of the catalytic core of S. cerevisiae DNA polymerase eta, determined at 2.25A resolution. The structure reveals a novel polydactyl right hand-shaped molecule with a unique polymerase-associated domain. We identify the catalytic residues and show that the fingers and thumb domains are unusually small and stubby. In particular, the unexpected absence of helices "O" and "O1" in the fingers domain suggests that openness of the active site is the critical feature which enables DNA polymerase eta to replicate through DNA lesions such as a UV-induced cis-syn thymine-thymine dimer.

A unique loop in the DNA-binding crevice of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase influences primer utilization

The three-dimensional structure of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase reveals the presence of a loop of 4 aa (residues 401-404) within the DNA-binding groove; this loop is not present in other members of the DNA polymerase I family. A genetically altered T7 DNA polymerase, T7 polDelta401-404, lacking these residues, has been characterized biochemically. The polymerase activity of T7 polDelta401-404 on primed M13 single-stranded DNA template is one-third of the wild-type enzyme and has a 3'-to-5' exonuclease activity indistinguishable from that of wild-type T7 DNA polymerase. T7 polDelta401-404 polymerizes nucleotides processively on a primed M13 single-stranded DNA template. T7 DNA polymerase cannot initiate de novo DNA synthesis; it requires tetraribonucleotides synthesized by the primase activity of the T7 gene 4 protein to serve as primers. T7 primase-dependent DNA synthesis on single-stranded DNA is 3- to 6-fold less with T7 polDelta401-404 compared with the wild-type enzyme. Furthermore, the altered polymerase is defective (10-fold) in its ability to use preformed tetraribonucleotides to initiate DNA synthesis in the presence of gene 4 protein. The location of the loop places it in precisely the position to interact with the tetraribonucleotide primer and, presumably, with the T7 gene 4 primase. Gene 4 protein also provides helicase activity for the replication of duplex DNA. T7 polDelta401-404 and T7 gene 4 protein catalyze strand-displacement DNA synthesis at nearly the same rate as does wild-type polymerase and T7 gene 4 protein, suggesting that the coupling of helicase and polymerase activities is unaffected.

DNA replication at high resolution

Several decades of research have delineated the roles of many proteins central to DNA replication. Here we present a structural perspective of this work spanning the past 15 years and highlight several recent advances in the field.

Minithioredoxin: a folded and functional peptide fragment of thioredoxin

A peptide fragment comprising the first 83 residues from the N-terminus of E. coli thioredoxin is purified by hydroxylamine cleavage of the intact protein. At physiological pH, the secondary and tertiary structure contents of the peptide are 70 and 35%, respectively, compared to the intact protein. Peptide 83 is able to display dual biological functions of thioredoxin, namely, a substrate for the enzyme E. coli thioredoxin-reductase and a processivity factor of T7 DNA polymerase. At present, peptide 83 represents the minimum functional and folding unit of thioredoxin. The highly conserved residue Phe 81 appears to play an important role in the folding of peptide 83, as judged from the packing analysis. Peptide 83 also mimics a particular kinetic folding intermediate of thioredoxin in terms of spectral properties and may serve as an equilibrium peptide model for the former.

DNA binding properties and processive proofreading of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA polymerase

The DNA binding properties of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA polymerase (HSV pol), an alpha-like DNA polymerase, were investigated using an optimized band-shift assay. With linear double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), HSV pol formed two complexes. The favored DNA template was dsDNA with protruding 5'-phosphoryl termini. Stable binding of HSV pol was observed with a DNA hairpin containing a primer region of 9 bp of dsDNA, a 6-base loop and a 12-base 5'-terminal single-stranded extension. For the polymerization activity of HSV pol on poly(dT) an optimal primer length of 8 to 10 nucleotides was determined. The DNA binding event could be clearly separated from the enzymatic activities by its unique response to divalent cations and salt. Under ionic strength conditions where HSV pol exerts optimal polymerization activity in vitro, novel polymerase-DNA complexes were detected by band-shift analysis. These new complexes were similar while either in DNA polymerase or 3',5' exonuclease mode. Using a polymerase trap method and high-resolution polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, HSV pol demonstrated internal switching from 3',5' exonuclease to polymerase-active mode during one DNA binding event. These results support the role of HSV pol as a true replicase, which proofreads without dissociating from the DNA template.

Formation of a DNA loop at the replication fork generated by bacteriophage T7 replication proteins

Intermediates in the replication of circular and linear M13 double-stranded DNA by bacteriophage T7 proteins have been examined by electron microscopy. Synthesis generated double-stranded DNA molecules containing a single replication fork with a linear duplex tail. A complex presumably consisting of T7 DNA polymerase and gene 4 helicase/primase molecules was present at the fork together with a variable amount of single-stranded DNA sequestered by gene 2.5 single-stranded DNA binding protein. Analysis of the length distribution of Okazaki fragments formed at different helicase/primase concentrations was consistent with coupling of leading and lagging strand replication. Fifteen to forty percent of the templates engaged in replication have a DNA loop at the replication fork. The loops are fully double-stranded with an average length of approximately 1 kilobase. Labeling with biotinylated dCTP showed that the loops consist of newly synthesized DNA, and synchronization experiments using a linear template with a G-less cassette demonstrated that the loops are formed by active displacement of the lagging strand. A long standing feature of models for coupled leading/lagging strand replication has been the presence of a DNA loop at the replication fork. This study provides the first direct demonstration of such loops.

Thioredoxin from Streptomyces aureofaciens controls coiling of plasmid DNA

A number of potential functions of thioredoxin have been proposed in literature, including a role for DNA replication. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of thioredoxin from Streptomyces aureofaciens (Trx S.a.) on plasmid DNA. Trx S.a. was incubated with plasmid forms and the incubation product(s) characterized on agarose gels. To compare Trx activity with enzymes with known DNA modifying activities, topoisomerase I, II (gyrase) and T4 DNA ligase were incubated with plasmid DNA in parallel. For the demonstration of nick removal a PCR technique was used. Trx S.a. bound non-specifically to plasmid DNA relaxing supercoiled circle closed form (CCC form) with subsequent formation of the circle closed form (CC form) as a major product. The amplification of a specific DNA template, possible only after nick removal, took place following incubation with Trx. The effect of topoisomerase I on plasmid DNA resembled Trx S.a. activity. We propose the following mechanism for CCC relaxation: Binding of Trx leads to a break of one strand and CC is formed by stepwise relaxation, ending with nick removal. The concomitant finding of open circle form (OC form) generation after incubation with Trx may indicate the generation of an intermediate due to the postulated strand break at initiation. This control of coiling may play a role in the DNA replication machinery, providing CC as a readily available substrate for DNA polymerases. In addition, Trx may serve in DNA repair mechanisms by its nonspecific binding to DNA and nick removing activity.

Structural and functional insights provided by crystal structures of DNA polymerases and their substrate complexes

New levels in the understanding of DNA replication have been achieved from recent crystal structure determinations of several DNA polymerases and their substrate complexes. The structure of an alpha family DNA polymerase from bacteriophage RB69 shows some similarities, but also considerable differences in structure and organization from the pol I family DNA polymerases. Also, the functions of three polymerase domains and their conserved residues have been clarified by studying structures of pol I family DNA polymerases complexed to their substrates. These structures also confirm that an identical two-metal ion catalytic mechanism proposed previously is used by both the nonhomologous pol I and pol beta family DNA polymerases.

Crystal structure of a bacteriophage T7 DNA replication complex at 2.2 A resolution

DNA polymerases change their specificity for nucleotide substrates with each catalytic cycle, while achieving error frequencies in the range of 10(-5) to 10(-6). Here we present a 2.2 A crystal structure of the replicative DNA polymerase from bacteriophage T7 complexed with a primer-template and a nucleoside triphosphate in the polymerase active site. The structure illustrates how nucleotides are selected in a template-directed manner, and provides a structural basis for a metal-assisted mechanism of phosphoryl transfer by a large group of related polymerases.

The acidic carboxyl terminus of the bacteriophage T7 gene 4 helicase/primase interacts with T7 DNA polymerase

The gene 4 proteins of bacteriophage T7 provide both primase and helicase activities at the replication fork. Efficient DNA replication requires that the functions of the gene 4 protein be coordinated with the movement of the T7 DNA polymerase. We show that a carboxyl-terminal domain of the gene 4 protein is required for interaction with T7 DNA polymerase during leading strand DNA synthesis. The carboxyl terminus of the gene 4 protein is highly acidic: of the 17 carboxyl-terminal amino acids 7 are negatively charged. Deletion of the coding region for these 17 residues results in a gene 4 protein that cannot support the growth of T7 phage. The purified mutant gene 4 protein has wild-type levels of both helicase and primase activities; however, DNA synthesis catalyzed by T7 DNA polymerase on a duplex DNA substrate is stimulated by this mutant protein to only about 5% of the level of synthesis obtained with wild-type protein. The mutant gene 4 protein can form hexamers and bind single-stranded DNA, but as determined by native PAGE analysis, the protein cannot form a stable complex with the DNA polymerase. The mutant gene 4 protein can prime DNA synthesis normally, indicating that for lagging strand synthesis a different set of helicase/primase-DNA polymerase interactions are involved. These findings have implications for the mechanisms coupling leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis at the T7 replication fork.

Amino acid changes in a unique sequence of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase alter the processivity of nucleotide polymerization

T7 gene 5 DNA polymerase forms a complex with Escherichia coli thioredoxin (its processivity factor), and a 76-amino acid sequence (residues 258-334), unique to gene 5 protein, has been implicated in this interaction. We have examined the effect of amino acid substitution(s) in this region on T7 phage growth and on the interaction of the polymerase with thioredoxin. Among the mutations in gene 5, we found that a substitution of either Glu or Ala for Lys-302 yielded a protein that could not complement T7 phage lacking gene 5 (T7Delta5) to grow on E. coli having reduced thioredoxin levels. One triple mutant (K300E,K302E,K304E) could not support the growth of T7Delta5 even in wild type cells. This altered polymerase is stimulated 4-fold less by thioredoxin than is the wild type enzyme and the polymerase-thioredoxin complex has reduced processivity. The exonuclease activity of the altered polymerase is not stimulated to the same extent as that of the wild type enzyme by thioredoxin. The observed dissociation constant of the gene 5 protein K(300,302,304)E-thioredoxin complex is 7-fold higher than that of the wild type complex. The altered polymerase also has a lower binding affinity for double-stranded DNA.

A novel plasma membrane-bound thioredoxin from soybean

Two thioredoxin cDNAs from soybean were isolated by screening an expression library using an anti-(plasma membrane) serum. The nucleotide sequences of the two cDNAs were found to be 89% identical. The polypeptides encoded by the two cDNAs, designated TRX1 and TRX2, contain a disulfide active site, as found in other thioredoxins. TRX1 was expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli and shown to possess thiol-disufide interchange activity. Unlike other eukaryotic thioredoxins, these two soybean thioredoxins contain a putative transmembrane domain in their N-terminal regions. To determine subcellular location, the TRX1 was fused with a reporter epitope at its C-terminus and expressed in transgenic tobacco plants. The fusion protein was co-purified with plasma membrane markers 1,3 beta-glucan synthase and vanadate-sensitive ATPase, indicating the plasma membrane location of TRX1. When the reporter epitope was inserted between the start codon and the transmembrane domain in the N-terminus, the fusion protein was found in the soluble fraction, possibly due to disruption of the transmembrane domain by the highly hydrophilic epitope sequence. Taken together, our results demonstrate that soybean TRX1 is a plasma membrane-bound thioredoxin, which is most likely anchored to the membrane through the N-terminal transmembrane domain. It is known that plant plasma membranes contain various proteins with thiol-disulfide interchange activity. The soybean thioredoxins reported here are the first group of such proteins to be characterized at the molecular level. However, the biological function of the plasma membrane-bound thioredoxin remains to be determined.

Structural and functional organization of the DNA polymerase of bacteriophage T7

The 80-kDa gene 5 protein encoded by bacteriophage T7 shares significant amino acid homology with the large fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment). Like the Klenow fragment, T7 gene 5 protein has both DNA polymerase and 3' to 5' exonuclease activities. However, unlike the Klenow fragment, T7 gene 5 protein binds tightly to E. coli thioredoxin to form a complex that has a high processivity of nucleotide polymerization. In order to identify the domains of gene 5 protein responsible for polymerization, hydrolysis, and binding of thioredoxin, we have analyzed proteolytic fragments of gene 5 protein. Cleavage of the protein within one protease-sensitive region (residue 250-300) yields two molecular weight species of peptides of 32-37 and 43-51 kDa derived from the N-terminal and C-terminal region, respectively. DNA polymerase activity is found within the C-terminal fragments and exonuclease activity within the N-terminal fragments. Thioredoxin stimulates the DNA polymerase activity of the C-terminal fragments. All fragments bind to DNA. In addition to delineating the polymerase and exonuclease domains, the protease-sensitive region appears to interact with E. coli thioredoxin. Thioredoxin protects this region from proteolysis, and alteration of this region reduces the ability of thioredoxin to stimulate polymerase activity.

Amino acid residues critical for the interaction between bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase and Escherichia coli thioredoxin

Upon infection of Escherichia coli, bacteriophage T7 annexes a host protein, thioredoxin, to serve as a processivity factor for its DNA polymerase, T7 gene 5 protein. In a previous communication (Himawan, J., and Richardson, C. C. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 89, 9774-9778), we reported that an E. coli strain encoding a Gly-74 to Asp-74 (G74D) thioredoxin mutation could not support wild-type T7 growth and that in vivo, six mutations in T7 gene 5 could individually suppress this G74D thioredoxin defect. In the present study, we report the purification and biochemical characterization of the G74D thioredoxin mutant and two suppressor gene 5 proteins, a Glu-319 to Lys-319 (E319K) mutant of gene 5 protein and an Ala-45 to Thr-45 (A45T) mutant. The suppressor E319K mutation, positioned within the DNA polymerization domain of gene 5 protein, appears to suppress the parental thioredoxin mutation by compensating for the binding defect that was caused by the G74D alteration. We suggest that the Glu-319 residue of T7 gene 5 protein and the Gly-74 residue of E. coli thioredoxin define a contact point or site of interaction between the two proteins. In contrast, the A45T mutation in gene 5 protein, located within the 3' to 5' exonuclease domain, does not suppress the G74D thioredoxin mutation by simple restoration of binding affinity. Based upon our understanding of the mechanisms of suppression, we propose a model for the T7 gene 5 protein-E. coli thioredoxin interaction.

The Nicotiana tabacum genome encodes two cytoplasmic thioredoxin genes which are differently expressed

A Nicotiana tabacum thioredoxin h gene (EMBL Accession No. Z11803) encoding a new thioredoxin (called h2) was isolated using thioredoxin h1 cDNA (X58527), and represents the first thioredoxin h gene isolated from a higher plant. It encodes a polypeptide of 118 amino acids with the conserved thioredoxin active site Trp-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys. This gene comprises two introns which have lengths of 1071 and 147 bp respectively, and three exons which encode peptides of 29, 41 and 48 amino acids, respectively. This thioredoxin h shows 66% identity with the amino acid sequence of thioredoxin h1 (X58527) and only around 35% with the choroplastic thioredoxins. The two thioredoxins, h1 and h2, do not have any signal peptides and are most probably cytoplasmic. Using the 3' regions of the mRNAs, two probes specific for thioredoxins h1 and h2 have been prepared. Southern blot analysis shows that thioredoxin sequences are present in only two genomic EcoRI fragments: a 3.3 kb fragment encodes h1 and a 4.5 kb fragment encodes h2. Analysis of the ancestors of the allotetraploid N. tabacum shows that thioredoxin h2 is present in N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis but that thioredoxin h1 is absent from both putative ancestors. Thus, the thioredoxin h1 gene has probably been recently introduced in to N. tabacum as a gene of agronomic importance, or linked to such genes. Northern blot analysis shows that both genes are expressed in N. tabacum, mostly in organs or tissues that contain growing cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Unnatural amino acid packing mutants of Escherichia coli thioredoxin produced by combined mutagenesis/chemical modification techniques

We have produced several mutants of Escherichia coli thioredoxin (Trx) using a combined mutagenesis/chemical modification technique. The protein C32S, C35S, L78C Trx was produced using standard mutagenesis procedures. After unfolding the protein with guanidine hydrochloride (GdmCl), the normally buried cysteine residue was modified with a series of straight chain aliphatic thiosulfonates, which produced cysteine disulfides to methane, ethane, 1-n-propane, 1-n-butane, and 1-n-pentane thiols. These mutants all show native-like CD spectra and the ability to activate T7 gene 5 protein DNA polymerase activity. In addition, all mutants show normal unfolding transitions in GdmCl solutions. However, the midpoint of the transition, [GdmCl]1/2, and the free energy of unfolding at zero denaturant concentration, delta G(H2O), give inverse orders of stability. This effect is due to changes in m, the dependence of delta G0 unfolding on the GdmCl concentration. The method described here may be used to produce unnatural amino acids in the hydrophobic cores of proteins.

Isolation, sequence, and expression in Escherichia coli of an unusual thioredoxin gene from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120

Two sequences with homology to a thioredoxin oligonucleotide probe were detected by Southern blot analysis of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 genomic DNA. One of the sequences was shown to code for a protein with 37% amino acid identity to thioredoxins from Escherichia coli and Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7119. This is in contrast to the usual 50% homology observed among most procaryotic thioredoxins. One gene was identified in a library and was subcloned into a pUC vector and used to transform E. coli strains lacking functional thioredoxin. The Anabaena strain 7120 thioredoxin gene did not complement the trxA mutation in E. coli. Transformed cells were not able to use methionine sulfoxide as a methionine source or support replication of T7 bacteriophage or the filamentous viruses M13 and f1. Sequence analysis of a 720-base-pair TaqI fragment indicated an open reading frame of 115 amino acids. The Anabaena strain 7120 thioredoxin gene was expressed in E. coli, and the protein was purified by assaying for protein disulfide reductase activity, using insulin as a substrate. The Anabaena strain 7120 thioredoxin exhibited the properties of a conventional thioredoxin. It is a small heat-stable redox protein and an efficient protein disulfide reductase. It is not a substrate for E. coli thioredoxin reductase. Chemically reduced Anabaena strain 7120 thioredoxin was able to serve as reducing agent for both E. coli and Anabaena strain 7119 ribonucleotide reductases, although with less efficiency than the homologous counterparts. The Anabaena strain 7120 thioredoxin cross-reacted with polyclonal antibodies to Anabaena strain 7119 thioredoxin. However, this unusual thioredoxin was not detected in extracts of Anabaena strain 7120, and its physiological function is unknown.

Thioredoxin and related proteins in procaryotes

Thioredoxin is a small (Mr 12,000) ubiquitous redox protein with the conserved active site structure: -Trp-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys-. The oxidized form (Trx-S2) contains a disulfide bridge which is reduced by NADPH and thioredoxin reductase; the reduced form [Trx(SH)2] is a powerful protein disulfide oxidoreductase. Thioredoxins have been characterized in a wide variety of prokaryotic cells, and generally show about 50% amino acid homology to Escherichia coli thioredoxin with a known three-dimensional structure. In vitro Trx-(SH)2 serves as a hydrogen donor for ribonucleotide reductase, an essential enzyme in DNA synthesis, and for enzymes reducing sulfate or methionine sulfoxide. E. coli Trx-(SH)2 is essential for phage T7 DNA replication as a subunit of T7 DNA polymerase and also for assembly of the filamentous phages f1 and M13 perhaps through its localization at the cellular plasma membrane. Some photosynthetic organisms reduce Trx-S2 by light and ferredoxin; Trx-(SH)2 is used as a disulfide reductase to regulate the activity of enzymes by thiol redox control. Thioredoxin-negative mutants (trxA) of E. coli are viable making the precise cellular physiological functions of thioredoxin unknown. Another small E. coli protein, glutaredoxin, enables GSH to be hydrogen donor for ribonucleotide reductase or PAPS reductase. Further experiments with molecular genetic techniques are required to define the relative roles of the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems in intracellular redox reactions.