Thermophilic topoisomerase I on a single DNA molecule

Unravelling the mechanisms of Type 1A topoisomerases using single-molecule approaches

Topoisomerases are essential enzymes that regulate DNA topology. Type 1A family topoisomerases are found in nearly all living organisms and are unique in that they require single-stranded (ss)DNA for activity. These enzymes are vital for maintaining supercoiling homeostasis and resolving DNA entanglements generated during DNA replication and repair. While the catalytic cycle of Type 1A topoisomerases has been long-known to involve an enzyme-bridged ssDNA gate that allows strand passage, a deeper mechanistic understanding of these enzymes has only recently begun to emerge. This knowledge has been greatly enhanced through the combination of biochemical studies and increasingly sophisticated single-molecule assays based on magnetic tweezers, optical tweezers, atomic force microscopy and Förster resonance energy transfer. In this review, we discuss how single-molecule assays have advanced our understanding of the gate opening dynamics and strand-passage mechanisms of Type 1A topoisomerases, as well as the interplay of Type 1A topoisomerases with partner proteins, such as RecQ-family helicases. We also highlight how these assays have shed new light on the likely functional roles of Type 1A topoisomerases in vivo and discuss recent developments in single-molecule technologies that could be applied to further enhance our understanding of these essential enzymes.

Direct observation of helicase-topoisomerase coupling within reverse gyrase

Reverse gyrases (RGs) are the only topoisomerases capable of generating positive supercoils in DNA. Members of the type IA family, they do so by generating a single-strand break in substrate DNA and then manipulating the two single strands to generate positive topology. Here, we use single-molecule experimentation to reveal the obligatory succession of steps that make up the catalytic cycle of RG. In the initial state, RG binds to DNA and unwinds ∼2 turns of the double helix in an ATP-independent fashion. Upon nucleotide binding, RG then rewinds ∼1 turn of DNA. Nucleotide hydrolysis and/or product release leads to an increase of 2 units of DNA writhe and resetting of the enzyme, for a net change of topology of +1 turn per cycle. Final dissociation of RG from DNA results in rewinding of the 2 turns of DNA that were initially disrupted. These results show how tight coupling of the helicase and topoisomerase activities allows for induction of positive supercoiling despite opposing torque.

TopA, the Sulfolobus solfataricus topoisomerase III, is a decatenase

DNA topoisomerases are essential enzymes involved in all the DNA processes and among them, type IA topoisomerases emerged as a key actor in the maintenance of genome stability. The hyperthermophilic archaeon, Sulfolobus solfataricus, contains three topoisomerases IA including one classical named TopA. SsoTopA is very efficient at unlinking DNA catenanes, grouping SsoTopA into the topoisomerase III family. SsoTopA is active over a wide range of temperatures and at temperatures of up to 85°C it produces highly unwound DNA. At higher temperatures, SsoTopA unlinks the two DNA strands. Thus depending on the temperature, SsoTopA is able to either prevent or favor DNA melting. While canonical topoisomerases III require a single-stranded DNA region or a nick in one of the circles to decatenate them, we show for the first time that a type I topoisomerase, SsoTopA, is able to efficiently unlink covalently closed catenanes, with no additional partners. By using single molecule experiments we demonstrate that SsoTopA requires the presence of a short single-stranded DNA region to be efficient. The unexpected decatenation property of SsoTopA probably comes from its high ability to capture this unwound region. This points out a possible role of TopA in S. solfataricus as a decatenase in Sulfolobus.

Direct observation of topoisomerase IA gate dynamics

Type IA topoisomerases cleave single-stranded DNA and relieve negative supercoils in discrete steps corresponding to the passage of the intact DNA strand through the cleaved strand. Although type IA topoisomerases are assumed to accomplish this strand passage via a protein-mediated DNA gate, opening of this gate has never been observed. We developed a single-molecule assay to directly measure gate opening of the Escherichia coli type IA topoisomerases I and III. We found that after cleavage of single-stranded DNA, the protein gate opens by as much as 6.6 nm and can close against forces in excess of 16 pN. Key differences in the cleavage, ligation, and gate dynamics of these two enzymes provide insights into their different cellular functions. The single-molecule results are broadly consistent with conformational changes obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. These results allowed us to develop a mechanistic model of interactions between type IA topoisomerases and single-stranded DNA.

Type IA DNA Topoisomerases: A Universal Core and Multiple Activities

All the type IA topoisomerases display universal characteristics relying on a core region basically responsible for the transesterification and the strand passage reaction. First limited to the bacterial domain for a long time, these enzymes were further retrieved in Archaea and Eukarya as well. This is representative of an extremely ancient origin, probably due to an inheritance from the RNA world. As remaining evidence, some current topoisomerases IA have retained a RNA topoisomerase activity. Despite the presence of this core region in all of these TopoIAs, some differences exist and are originated from variable regions, located essentially within both extremities, conferring on them their specificities. During the last 2 decades the evidence of multiple activities and dedicated roles highlighted the importance of the topoisomerases IA. It is now obvious that topoisomerases IA are key enzymes involved in the maintenance of the genome stability. The discovery of these new activities was done thanks to the use of more accurate assays, based on new sophisticated DNA substrates.

Global Association between Thermophilicity and Vancomycin Susceptibility in Bacteria

Exploration of the aquatic microbiota of several circum-neutral (6.0-8.5 pH) mid-temperature (55-85°C) springs revealed rich diversities of phylogenetic relatives of mesophilic bacteria, which surpassed the diversity of the truly-thermophilic taxa. To gain insight into the potentially-thermophilic adaptations of the phylogenetic relatives of Gram-negative mesophilic bacteria detected in culture-independent investigations we attempted pure-culture isolation by supplementing the enrichment media with 50 μg ml(-1) vancomycin. Surprisingly, this Gram-positive-specific antibiotic eliminated the entire culturable-diversity of chemoorganotrophic and sulfur-chemolithotrophic bacteria present in the tested hot water inocula. Moreover, it also killed all the Gram-negative hot-spring isolates that were obtained in vancomycin-free media. Concurrent literature search for the description of Gram-negative thermophilic bacteria revealed that at least 16 of them were reportedly vancomycin-susceptible. While these data suggested that vancomycin-susceptibility could be a global trait of thermophilic bacteria (irrespective of their taxonomy, biogeography and Gram-character), MALDI Mass Spectroscopy of the peptidoglycans of a few Gram-negative thermophilic bacteria revealed that tandem alanines were present in the fourth and fifth positions of their muropeptide precursors (MPPs). Subsequent phylogenetic analyses revealed a close affinity between the D-alanine-D-alanine ligases (Ddl) of taxonomically-diverse Gram-negative thermophiles and the thermostable Ddl protein of Thermotoga maritima, which is well-known for its high specificity for alanine over other amino acids. The Ddl tree further illustrated a divergence between the homologs of Gram-negative thermophiles and mesophiles, which broadly coincided with vancomycin-susceptibility and vancomycin-resistance respectively. It was thus hypothesized that thermophilic Ddls have been evolutionarily selected to favor a D-ala-D-ala bonding. However, preference for D-ala-D-ala-terminated MPPs does not singlehandedly guarantee vancomycin susceptibility of thermophilic bacteria as the large and relatively-hydrophilic vancomycin molecule has to cross the outer membrane before it can inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Literature shows that many mesophilic Gram-negative bacteria also have D-ala-D-ala-terminated MPPs, but they still remain resistant to vancomycin due to the relative impermeability of their membranes. But the global vancomycin-susceptibility phenotype of thermophilic bacteria itself testifies that the drug crosses the membrane in all these cases. As a corollary, it seems quite likely that the outer membranes of thermophilic bacteria have some yet-unknown characteristic feature(s) that invariably ensures the entry of vancomycin.

Single-molecule analysis uncovers the difference between the kinetics of DNA decatenation by bacterial topoisomerases I and III

Escherichia coli topoisomerases I and III can decatenate double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules containing single-stranded DNA regions or nicks as well as relax negatively supercoiled DNA. Although the proteins share a mechanism of action and have similar structures, they participate in different cellular processes. Whereas topoisomerase III is a more efficient decatenase than topoisomerase I, the opposite is true for DNA relaxation. In order to investigate the differences in the mechanism of these two prototypical type IA topoisomerases, we studied DNA decatenation at the single-molecule level using braids of intact dsDNA and nicked dsDNA with bulges. We found that neither protein decatenates an intact DNA braid. In contrast, both enzymes exhibited robust decatenation activity on DNA braids with a bulge. The experiments reveal that a main difference between the unbraiding mechanisms of these topoisomerases lies in the pauses between decatenation cycles. Shorter pauses for topoisomerase III result in a higher decatenation rate. In addition, topoisomerase III shows a strong dependence on the crossover angle of the DNA strands. These real-time observations reveal the kinetic characteristics of the decatenation mechanism and help explain the differences between their activities.

Studies of bacterial topoisomerases I and III at the single-molecule level

Topoisomerases are the enzymes responsible for maintaining the supercoiled state of DNA in the cell and also for many other DNA-topology-associated reactions. Type IA enzymes alter DNA topology by breaking one DNA strand and passing another strand or strands through the break. Although all type IA topoisomerases are related at the sequence, structure and mechanism levels, different type IA enzymes do not participate in the same cellular processes. We have studied the mechanism of DNA relaxation by Escherichia coli topoisomerases I and III using single-molecule techniques to understand their dissimilarities. Our experiments show important differences at the single-molecule level, while also recovering the results from bulk experiments. Overall, topoisomerase III relaxes DNA using fast processive runs followed by long pauses, whereas topoisomerase I relaxes DNA through slow processive runs followed by short pauses. These two properties combined give rise to the overall relaxation rate, which is higher for topoisomerase I than for topoisomerase III, as expected from many biochemical observations. The results help us to understand better the role of these two topoisomerases in the cell and also serve to illustrate the power of single-molecule experiments to uncover new functional characteristics of biological molecules.

Bacterial topoisomerase I and topoisomerase III relax supercoiled DNA via distinct pathways

Escherichia coli topoisomerases I and III (Topo I and Topo III) relax negatively supercoiled DNA and also catenate/decatenate DNA molecules containing single-stranded DNA regions. Although these enzymes share the same mechanism of action and have similar structures, they participate in different cellular processes. In bulk experiments Topo I is more efficient at DNA relaxation, whereas Topo III is more efficient at catenation/decatenation, probably reflecting their differing cellular roles. To examine the differences in the mechanism of these two related type IA topoisomerases, single-molecule relaxation studies were conducted on several DNA substrates: negatively supercoiled DNA, positively supercoiled DNA with a mismatch and positively supercoiled DNA with a bulge. The experiments show differences in the way the two proteins work at the single-molecule level, while also recovering observations from the bulk experiments. Overall, Topo III relaxes DNA efficiently in fast processive runs, but with long pauses before relaxation runs, whereas Topo I relaxes DNA in slow processive runs but with short pauses before runs. The combination of these properties results in Topo I having an overall faster total relaxation rate, even though the relaxation rate during a run for Topo III is much faster.

Crystal structure of a covalent intermediate in DNA cleavage and rejoining by Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I

DNA topoisomerases control DNA topology by breaking and rejoining DNA strands via covalent complexes with cleaved DNA substrate as catalytic intermediates. Here we report the structure of Escherichia coli topoisomerase I catalytic domain (residues 2-695) in covalent complex with a cleaved single-stranded oligonucleotide substrate, refined to 2.3-Å resolution. The enzyme-substrate intermediate formed after strand cleavage was captured due to the presence of the D111N mutation. This structure of the covalent topoisomerase-DNA intermediate, previously elusive for type IA topoisomerases, shows distinct conformational changes from the structure of the enzyme without bound DNA and provides detailed understanding of the covalent catalysis required for strand cleavage to take place. The portion of cleaved DNA 5' to the site of cleavage is anchored tightly with extensive noncovalent protein-DNA interactions as predicted by the "enzyme-bridged" model. Distortion of the scissile strand at the -4 position 5' to the cleavage site allows specific selectivity of a cytosine base in the binding pocket. Many antibacterial and anticancer drugs initiate cell killing by trapping the covalent complexes formed by topoisomerases. We have demonstrated in previous mutagenesis studies that accumulation of the covalent complex of bacterial topoisomerase I is bactericidal. This structure of the covalent intermediate provides the basis for the design of novel antibiotics that can trap the enzyme after formation of the covalent complex.

TopR2, the second reverse gyrase of Sulfolobus solfataricus, exhibits unusual properties

Whereas reverse gyrase is considered as a strong marker of thermophily, the function of this peculiar type IA topoisomerase still remains to be elucidated. The archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus encodes two reverse gyrases, TopR1 and TopR2. This duplication seems to be important because most of Crenarcheota exhibit two copies of reverse gyrase. However, to date, while TopR1 has been well characterized, no characterization of TopR2 has been reported. In this study, we describe for the first time the activity of S. solfataricus TopR2 that appears as a new reverse gyrase. Indeed, in spite of the sequence similarities between TopR1 and TopR2, we evidence unexpected great differences between the two enzymes. While TopR1 exhibits ATP-independent relaxation activity, TopR2 does not, and its activity is strictly dependent on the presence of ATP. Whereas TopR1 is a distributive topoisomerase, TopR2 exhibits an amazing high intrinsic processivity compared to all the topoisomerases studied so far. TopR2 is able to introduce a very high number of positive superturns in DNA, while TopR1 generates weakly positively supercoiled DNA. Finally, TopR2 behaves differently from TopR1 when incubated at different assay temperatures. All the results presented in this study indicate that TopR1 and TopR2 have, in vitro, different activities suggesting different functions in vivo.

Cellular strategies for regulating DNA supercoiling: a single-molecule perspective

Entangling and twisting of cellular DNA (i.e., supercoiling) are problems inherent to the helical structure of double-stranded DNA. Supercoiling affects transcription, DNA replication, and chromosomal segregation. Consequently the cell must fine-tune supercoiling to optimize these key processes. Here, we summarize how supercoiling is generated and review experimental and theoretical insights into supercoil relaxation. We distinguish between the passive dissipation of supercoils by diffusion and the active removal of supercoils by topoisomerase enzymes. We also review single-molecule studies that elucidate the timescales and mechanisms of supercoil removal.

Single-molecule studies of DNA replisome function

Fast and accurate replication of DNA is accomplished by the interactions of multiple proteins in the dynamic DNA replisome. The DNA replisome effectively coordinates the leading and lagging strand synthesis of DNA. These complex, yet elegantly organized, molecular machines have been studied extensively by kinetic and structural methods to provide an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of DNA replication. Owing to averaging of observables, unique dynamic information of the biochemical pathways and reactions is concealed in conventional ensemble methods. However, recent advances in the rapidly expanding field of single-molecule analyses to study single biomolecules offer opportunities to probe and understand the dynamic processes involved in large biomolecular complexes such as replisomes. This review will focus on the recent developments in the biochemistry and biophysics of DNA replication employing single-molecule techniques and the insights provided by these methods towards a better understanding of the intricate mechanisms of DNA replication.

Structural studies of type I topoisomerases

Topoisomerases are ubiquitous proteins found in all three domains of life. They change the topology of DNA via transient breaks on either one or two of the DNA strands to allow passage of another single or double DNA strand through the break. Topoisomerases are classified into two types: type I enzymes cleave one DNA strand and pass either one or two DNA strands through the break before resealing it, while type II molecules cleave both DNA strands in concert and pass another double strand through the break followed by religation of the double strand break. Here we review recent work on the structure of type I enzymes. These structural studies are providing atomic details that, together with the existing wealth of biochemical and biophysical data, are bringing our understanding of the mechanism of action of these enzymes to the atomic level.

Single-molecule force spectroscopy: optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers and atomic force microscopy

Single-molecule force spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful tool to investigate the forces and motions associated with biological molecules and enzymatic activity. The most common force spectroscopy techniques are optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers and atomic force microscopy. Here we describe these techniques and illustrate them with examples highlighting current capabilities and limitations.

Topoisomerase V relaxes supercoiled DNA by a constrained swiveling mechanism

Topoisomerase V is a type I topoisomerase without structural or sequence similarities to other topoisomerases. Although it belongs to the type I subfamily of topoisomerases, it is unrelated to either type IA or IB enzymes. We used real-time single-molecule micromechanical experiments to show that topoisomerase V relaxes DNA via events that release multiple DNA turns, employing a constrained swiveling mechanism similar to that for type IB enzymes. Relaxation is powered by the torque in the supercoiled DNA and is constrained by friction between the protein and the DNA. Although all type IB enzymes share a common structure and mechanism and type IA and type II enzymes show marked structural and functional similarities, topoisomerase V represents a different type of topoisomerase that relaxes DNA in a similar overall manner as type IB molecules but by using a completely different structural and mechanistic framework.

Torque and dynamics of linking number relaxation in stretched supercoiled DNA

In micromechanical studies of DNA, plectonemically supercoiled domains are often used as sources of constant torque. These torques are not easily measured and are instead usually estimated. Here, coexisting extended and supercoiled DNA domains are analyzed, and closed-form expressions for the dependence of extension and torque on force and linking number are presented. When there are coexisting domains of plectonemic and extended DNA, the torque depends only on force, with no dependence on linking number. However, torque depends on force in a manner more complex than a simple power law, involving the free energy of the extended and plectonemic DNA. A simple strategy is described for measurement of the free energies of both extended and plectonemic DNA without reference to specific microscopic polymer models. Applications of the theory to analysis of relaxation of supercoiling by enzymes which permit friction-controlled rotational relaxation of linking number is also presented. Such enzymes must display a breaking of symmetry between relaxations driven by equal magnitude but opposite direction torques.

Thirty years of Escherichia coli DNA gyrase: from in vivo function to single-molecule mechanism

The level of negative DNA supercoiling of the Escherichia coli chromosome is tightly regulated in the cell and influences many DNA metabolic processes including DNA replication, transcription, repair and recombination. Gyrase is the only type II topoisomerase able to introduce negative supercoils into DNA, a unique ability that arises from the specialized C-terminal DNA wrapping domain of the GyrA subunit. Here, we review the biological roles of gyrase in vivo and its mechanism in vitro.

Type IA topoisomerases: a simple puzzle?

Type IA topoisomerases are enzymes that can modify DNA topology. They form a distinct family of proteins present in all domains of life, from bacteria to archaea and higher eukaryotes. They are composed of two domains: a core domain containing all the conserved motifs involved in the trans-esterification reactions, and a carboxyl-terminal domain that is highly variable in size and sequence. The latter appears to interact with other proteins, defining the physiological use of the topoisomerase activity. The evolutionary relevance of this topoisomerase-cofactor complex, also known as the "toposome", as well as its enzymatic consequences are discussed in this review.

Rotation of DNA around intact strand in human topoisomerase I implies distinct mechanisms for positive and negative supercoil relaxation

Topoisomerases are enzymes of quintessence to the upkeep of superhelical DNA, and are vital for replication, transcription and recombination. An atomic-resolution model for human topoisomerase I in covalent complex with DNA is simulated using molecular dynamics with external potentials that mimic torque and bias the DNA duplex downstream of a single-strand cut to rotate around the intact strand, according to the prevailing enzymatic mechanism. The simulations reveal the first dynamical picture of how topoisomerase accommodates large-scale motion of DNA as it changes its supercoiling state, and indicate that relaxation of positive and negative supercoils are fundamentally different. To relax positive supercoils, two separate domains (the 'lips') of the protein open up by about 10-14 A, whereas to relax negative supercoils, a continuous loop connecting the upper and lower parts (and which was a hinge for opening the lips) stretches about 12 A while the lips remain unseparated. Normal mode analysis is additionally used to characterize the functional flexibility of the protein. Remarkably, the same combination of low-frequency eigenvectors exhibit the dominant contribution for both rotation mechanisms through a see-saw motion. The simulated mechanisms suggest mutations to control the relaxation of either type of supercoiling selectively and advance a hypothesis for the debated role of the N-terminal domain in supercoil relaxation.

Twisting and untwisting a single DNA molecule covered by RecA protein

We study dsDNA-RecA interactions by exerting forces in the pN range on single DNA molecules while the interstrand topological state is controlled owing to a magnetic tweezers setup. We show that unwinding a duplex DNA molecule induces RecA polymerization even at moderate force. Once initial polymerization has nucleated, the extent of RecA coverage still depends on the degree of supercoiling: exerting a positive or negative torsional constraint on the fiber forces partial depolymerization, with a strikingly greater stability when ATPgammaS is used as a cofactor instead of ATP. This nucleofilament's sensitivity to topology might be a way for the bacterial cell to limit consumption of precious RecA monomers when DNA damage is addressed through homologous recombination repair.

Proteolytic cleavage of the hyperthermophilic topoisomerase I from Thermotoga maritima does not impair its enzymatic properties

Using limited proteolysis, we show that the hyperthermophilic topoisomerase I from Thermotoga maritima exhibits a unique hot spot susceptible to proteolytic attack with a variety of proteases. The remaining of the protein is resistant to further proteolysis, which suggests a compact folding of the thermophilic topoisomerase, when compared to its mesophilic Escherichia coli homologue. We further show that a truncated version of the T. maritima enzyme, lacking the last C-terminal 93 amino acids is more susceptible to proteolysis, which suggests that the C-terminal region of the topoisomerase may be important to maintain the compact folding of the enzyme. The hot spot of cleavage is located around amino acids 326-330 and probably corresponds to an exposed loop of the protein, near the active site tyrosine in charge of DNA cleavage and religation. Location of this protease sensitive region in the vicinity of bound DNA is consistent with the partial protection observed in the presence of different DNA substrates. Unexpectedly, although proteolysis splits the enzyme in two halves, each containing part of the motifs involved in catalysis, trypsin-digested topoisomerase I retains full DNA binding, cleavage, and relaxation activities, full thermostability and also the same hydrodynamic and spectral properties as undigested samples. This supports the idea that the two fragments which are generated by proteolysis remain correctly folded and tightly associated after proteolytic cleavage.

Structure, molecular mechanisms, and evolutionary relationships in DNA topoisomerases

Topoisomerases are enzymes that use DNA strand scission, manipulation, and rejoining activities to directly modulate DNA topology. These actions provide a powerful means to effect changes in DNA supercoiling levels, and allow some topoisomerases to both unknot and decatenate chromosomes. Since their initial discovery over three decades ago, researchers have amassed a rich store of information on the cellular roles and regulation of topoisomerases, and have delineated general models for their chemical and physical mechanisms. Topoisomerases are now known to be necessary for the survival of cellular organisms and many viruses and are rich clinical targets for anticancer and antimicrobial treatments. In recent years, crystal structures have been obtained for each of the four types of topoisomerases in a number of distinct conformational and substrate-bound states. In addition, sophisticated biophysical methods have been utilized to study details of topoisomerase reaction dynamics and enzymology. A synthesis of these approaches has provided researchers with new physical insights into how topoisomerases employ chemistry and allostery to direct the large-scale molecular motions needed to pass DNA strands through each other.

Thermotoga maritima-Escherichia coli chimeric topoisomerases. Answers about involvement of the carboxyl-terminal domain in DNA topoisomerase I-mediated catalysis

Bacterial topoisomerases I are generally composed of two domains as follows: a core domain, which contains all the conserved motifs involved in the trans-esterification reactions, and a carboxyl-terminal domain, highly variable in size and sequence. In the present work, we have addressed the question of the respective roles of the two domains in the different steps of the topoisomerization cycle. For this purpose, we prepared various recombinant topoisomerases from two model enzymes: topoisomerase I from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima and topoisomerase I from Escherichia coli. We compared the properties of the two core domains to that of the topoisomerases formed by combining the core domain of one enzyme to the carboxyl-terminal domain of the other. We found that, contrary to E. coli (Lima, C. D., Wang, J. C., and Mondragon, A. (1993) J. Mol. Biol. 232, 1213-1216), the core domain from T. maritima (TmTop65) is able to sustain by itself a complete topoisomerization cycle, although with low efficiency. Fusion of TmTop65 to the entire carboxyl-terminal domain from E. coli considerably increases binding efficiency, thermal stability, and DNA relaxation activity. Moreover, the chimera predominantly acquires the cleavage specificity of E. coli full-length topoisomerase. For the chimera obtained by fusion of the T. maritima carboxyl-terminal domain to the core EcTop67, very low DNA relaxation activity and binding are recovered, but formation of a covalent DNA adduct is impaired. Taken together, our results show that the presence and the nature of the carboxyl-terminal domain of bacterial topoisomerases I strongly determine their DNA binding efficiency and cleavage specificity but is not strictly required for strand passage.