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Ramírez Montero D, Liu Z, Dekker NH. De novo fabrication of custom-sequence plasmids for the synthesis of long DNA constructs with extrahelical features. Biophys J 2024; 123:31-41. [PMID: 37968907 PMCID: PMC10808024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA constructs for single-molecule experiments often require specific sequences and/or extrahelical/noncanonical structures to study DNA-processing mechanisms. The precise introduction of such structures requires extensive control of the sequence of the initial DNA substrate. A commonly used substrate in the synthesis of DNA constructs is plasmid DNA. Nevertheless, the controlled introduction of specific sequences and extrahelical/noncanonical structures into plasmids often requires several rounds of cloning on pre-existing plasmids whose sequence one cannot fully control. Here, we describe a simple and efficient way to synthesize 10.1-kb plasmids de novo using synthetic gBlocks that provides full control of the sequence. Using these plasmids, we developed a 1.5-day protocol to assemble 10.1-kb linear DNA constructs with end and internal modifications. As a proof of principle, we synthesize two different DNA constructs with biotinylated ends and one or two internal 3' single-stranded DNA flaps, characterize them using single-molecule force and fluorescence spectroscopy, and functionally validate them by showing that the eukaryotic replicative helicase Cdc45/Mcm2-7/GINS (CMG) binds the 3' single-stranded DNA flap and translocates in the expected direction. We anticipate that our approach can be used to synthesize custom-sequence DNA constructs for a variety of force and fluorescence single-molecule spectroscopy experiments to interrogate DNA replication, DNA repair, and transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ramírez Montero
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Zhaowei Liu
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Nynke H Dekker
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
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2
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Zhang H, Shi Z, Banigan EJ, Kim Y, Yu H, Bai XC, Finkelstein IJ. CTCF and R-loops are boundaries of cohesin-mediated DNA looping. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2856-2871.e8. [PMID: 37536339 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cohesin and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) are key regulatory proteins of three-dimensional (3D) genome organization. Cohesin extrudes DNA loops that are anchored by CTCF in a polar orientation. Here, we present direct evidence that CTCF binding polarity controls cohesin-mediated DNA looping. Using single-molecule imaging, we demonstrate that a critical N-terminal motif of CTCF blocks cohesin translocation and DNA looping. The cryo-EM structure of the cohesin-CTCF complex reveals that this CTCF motif ahead of zinc fingers can only reach its binding site on the STAG1 cohesin subunit when the N terminus of CTCF faces cohesin. Remarkably, a C-terminally oriented CTCF accelerates DNA compaction by cohesin. DNA-bound Cas9 and Cas12a ribonucleoproteins are also polar cohesin barriers, indicating that stalling may be intrinsic to cohesin itself. Finally, we show that RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops) block cohesin-mediated DNA compaction in vitro and are enriched with cohesin subunits in vivo, likely forming TAD boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongshan Zhang
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Zhubing Shi
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Edward J Banigan
- Department of Physics, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yoori Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongtao Yu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Xiao-Chen Bai
- Department of Biophysics, Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Ilya J Finkelstein
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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3
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Bell NAW, Molloy JE. Efficient golden gate assembly of DNA constructs for single molecule force spectroscopy and imaging. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e77. [PMID: 35489063 PMCID: PMC9303394 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule techniques such as optical tweezers and fluorescence imaging are powerful tools for probing the biophysics of DNA and DNA-protein interactions. The application of these methods requires efficient approaches for creating designed DNA structures with labels for binding to a surface or microscopic beads. In this paper, we develop a simple and fast technique for making a diverse range of such DNA constructs by combining PCR amplicons and synthetic oligonucleotides using golden gate assembly rules. We demonstrate high yield fabrication of torsionally-constrained duplex DNA up to 10 kbp in length and a variety of DNA hairpin structures. We also show how tethering to a cross-linked antibody substrate significantly enhances measurement lifetime under high force. This rapid and adaptable fabrication method streamlines the assembly of DNA constructs for single molecule biophysics.
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4
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Aicart-Ramos C, Hormeno S, Wilkinson OJ, Dillingham MS, Moreno-Herrero F. Long DNA constructs to study helicases and nucleic acid translocases using optical tweezers. Methods Enzymol 2022; 673:311-358. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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5
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Cheon NY, Lee JY. Studying R-Loop Recognizing Proteins Using Single-Molecule DNA Curtain Technique and Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2528:253-269. [PMID: 35704196 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2477-7_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
R-loops are nucleic acid structures containing a DNA-RNA hybrid and the associated non-template single-stranded DNA. R-loops are not only involved in many biological processes but also cause genomic instability when they are abnormally regulated. The R-loop regulation pathway consists of multiple steps associated with diverse proteins. The initial and essential step of the pathway is to recognize R-loops in long DNA of human genome. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying R-loop recognition by proteins, we utilize a novel high-throughput single-molecule approach called "DNA curtain" as well as electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Here, we describe the detailed protocols for these techniques that both can be used for studying the R-loop recognition mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Young Cheon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Yil Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Lu Y, Bianco P. High-yield purification of exceptional-quality, single-molecule DNA substrates. J Biol Methods 2021; 8:e145. [PMID: 33889652 PMCID: PMC8054919 DOI: 10.14440/jbm.2021.350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule studies involving DNA or RNA, require homogeneous preparations of nucleic acid substrates of exceptional quality. Over the past several years, a variety of methods have been published describing different purification methods but these are frustratingly inconsistent with variable yields even in the hands of experienced bench scientists. To address these issues, we present an optimized and straightforward, column-based approach that is reproducible and produces high yields of substrates or substrate components of exceptional quality. Central to the success of the method presented is the use of a non-porous anion exchange resin. In addition to the use of this resin, we encourage the optimization of each step in the construction of substrates. The fully optimized method produces high yields of a hairpin DNA substrate of exceptional quality. While this substrate is suitable for single-molecule, magnetic tweezer experiments, the described method is readily adaptable to the production of DNA substrates for the majority of single-molecule studies involving nucleic acids ranging in size from 70–15000 bp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6025, USA
| | - Piero Bianco
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6025, USA
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7
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Design of customizable long linear DNA substrates with controlled end modifications for single-molecule studies. Anal Biochem 2020; 592:113541. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2019.113541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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8
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Mallam AL, Sae-Lee W, Schaub JM, Tu F, Battenhouse A, Jang YJ, Kim J, Wallingford JB, Finkelstein IJ, Marcotte EM, Drew K. Systematic Discovery of Endogenous Human Ribonucleoprotein Complexes. Cell Rep 2019; 29:1351-1368.e5. [PMID: 31665645 PMCID: PMC6873818 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play essential roles in biology and are frequently associated with human disease. Although recent studies have systematically identified individual RNA-binding proteins, their higher-order assembly into ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes has not been systematically investigated. Here, we describe a proteomics method for systematic identification of RNP complexes in human cells. We identify 1,428 protein complexes that associate with RNA, indicating that more than 20% of known human protein complexes contain RNA. To explore the role of RNA in the assembly of each complex, we identify complexes that dissociate, change composition, or form stable protein-only complexes in the absence of RNA. We use our method to systematically identify cell-type-specific RNA-associated proteins in mouse embryonic stem cells and finally, distribute our resource, rna.MAP, in an easy-to-use online interface (rna.proteincomplexes.org). Our system thus provides a methodology for explorations across human tissues, disease states, and throughout all domains of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Mallam
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Wisath Sae-Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Schaub
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Fan Tu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Anna Battenhouse
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yu Jin Jang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jonghwan Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - John B Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ilya J Finkelstein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Edward M Marcotte
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Kevin Drew
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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9
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Abrosimova LA, Kisil OV, Romanova EA, Oretskaya TS, Kubareva EA. Nicking Endonucleases as Unique Tools for Biotechnology and Gene Engineering. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162019050017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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10
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Kim Y, Furman CM, Manhart CM, Alani E, Finkelstein I. Intrinsically disordered regions regulate both catalytic and non-catalytic activities of the MutLα mismatch repair complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:1823-1835. [PMID: 30541127 PMCID: PMC6393296 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are present in at least 30% of the eukaryotic proteome and are enriched in chromatin-associated proteins. Using a combination of genetics, biochemistry and single-molecule biophysics, we characterize how IDRs regulate the functions of the yeast MutLα (Mlh1-Pms1) mismatch repair (MMR) complex. Shortening or scrambling the IDRs in both subunits ablates MMR in vivo. Mlh1-Pms1 complexes with shorter IDRs that disrupt MMR retain wild-type DNA binding affinity but are impaired for diffusion on both naked and nucleosome-coated DNA. Moreover, the IDRs also regulate the adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis and nuclease activities that are encoded in the structured N- and C-terminal domains of the complex. This combination of phenotypes underlies the catastrophic MMR defect seen with the mutant MutLα in vivo. More broadly, this work highlights an unanticipated multi-functional role for IDRs in regulating both facilitated diffusion on chromatin and nucleolytic processing of a DNA substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoori Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Christopher M Furman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Carol M Manhart
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Eric Alani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ilya J Finkelstein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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11
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A simple dialysis device for large DNA molecules. Biotechniques 2019; 66:93-95. [PMID: 30744406 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2018-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential of genomic DNA is realized when new modalities are invented that manipulate large DNAs with minimal breakage or loss of sample. Here, we describe a polydimethylsiloxane-polycarbonate membrane device to remove small molecules from a sample while retaining large DNAs. Dialysis rates dramatically change as DNA size in kb (M) increases and DNA dimensions become comparable to pore size, and chain characteristics go from rod-like to Gaussian. Consequently, we describe empirical rates of dialysis, R, as a function of M as falling into two regimes: DNAs ≤ 1 kb show R(M) ∼e - t/τ M (t = time, τM = time constant), while DNAs ≥1.65 kb slowly passage with R(M) ∼M -1.68; such partitioning potentiates single-molecule imaging.
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12
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Dillard KE, Brown MW, Johnson NV, Xiao Y, Dolan A, Hernandez E, Dahlhauser SD, Kim Y, Myler LR, Anslyn EV, Ke A, Finkelstein IJ. Assembly and Translocation of a CRISPR-Cas Primed Acquisition Complex. Cell 2018; 175:934-946.e15. [PMID: 30343903 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems confer an adaptive immunity against viruses. Following viral injection, Cas1-Cas2 integrates segments of the viral genome (spacers) into the CRISPR locus. In type I CRISPR-Cas systems, efficient "primed" spacer acquisition and viral degradation (interference) require both the Cascade complex and the Cas3 helicase/nuclease. Here, we present single-molecule characterization of the Thermobifida fusca (Tfu) primed acquisition complex (PAC). We show that TfuCascade rapidly samples non-specific DNA via facilitated one-dimensional diffusion. Cas3 loads at target-bound Cascade and the Cascade/Cas3 complex translocates via a looped DNA intermediate. Cascade/Cas3 complexes stall at diverse protein roadblocks, resulting in a double strand break at the stall site. In contrast, Cas1-Cas2 samples DNA transiently via 3D collisions. Moreover, Cas1-Cas2 associates with Cascade and translocates with Cascade/Cas3, forming the PAC. PACs can displace different protein roadblocks, suggesting a mechanism for long-range spacer acquisition. This work provides a molecular basis for the coordinated steps in CRISPR-based adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylee E Dillard
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Maxwell W Brown
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Nicole V Johnson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yibei Xiao
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Adam Dolan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Erik Hernandez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Samuel D Dahlhauser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yoori Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Logan R Myler
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Eric V Anslyn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ailong Ke
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ilya J Finkelstein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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13
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Xue H, Zhan Z, Zhang K, Fu YV. Visualizing the Interaction Between the Qdot-labeled Protein and Site-specifically Modified λ DNA at the Single Molecule Level. J Vis Exp 2018:57967. [PMID: 30080193 PMCID: PMC6126486 DOI: 10.3791/57967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The fluorescence microscopy has made great contributions in dissecting the mechanisms of complex biological processes at the single molecule level. In single molecule assays for studying DNA-protein interactions, there are two important factors for consideration: the DNA substrate with enough length for easy observation and labeling a protein with a suitable fluorescent probe. 48.5 kb λ DNA is a good candidate for the DNA substrate. Quantum dots (Qdots), as a class of fluorescent probes, allow long-time observation (minutes to hours) and high-quality image acquisition. In this paper, we present a protocol to study DNA-protein interactions at the single-molecule level, which includes preparing a site-specifically modified λ DNA and labeling a target protein with streptavidin-coated Qdots. For a proof of concept, we choose ORC (origin recognition complex) in budding yeast as a protein of interest and visualize its interaction with an ARS (autonomously replicating sequence) using TIRFM. Compared with other fluorescent probes, Qdots have obvious advantages in single molecule studies due to its high stability against photobleaching, but it should be noted that this property limits its application in quantitative assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Zhengyan Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Kaining Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Yu Vincent Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences;
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14
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Sisakova A, Altmannova V, Sebesta M, Krejci L. Role of PCNA and RFC in promoting Mus81-complex activity. BMC Biol 2017; 15:90. [PMID: 28969641 PMCID: PMC5625722 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-017-0429-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Proper DNA replication is essential for faithful transmission of the genome. However, replication stress has serious impact on the integrity of the cell, leading to stalling or collapse of replication forks, and has been determined as a driving force of carcinogenesis. Mus81-Mms4 complex is a structure-specific endonuclease previously shown to be involved in processing of aberrant replication intermediates and promotes POLD3-dependent DNA synthesis via break-induced replication. However, how replication components might be involved in this process is not known. Results Herein, we show the interaction and robust stimulation of Mus81-Mms4 nuclease activity by heteropentameric replication factor C (RFC) complex, the processivity factor of replicative DNA polymerases that is responsible for loading of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) during DNA replication and repair. This stimulation is enhanced by RFC-dependent ATP hydrolysis and by PCNA loading on the DNA. Moreover, this stimulation is not specific to Rfc1, the largest of subunit of this complex, thus indicating that alternative clamp loaders may also play a role in the stimulation. We also observed a targeting of Mus81 by RFC to the nick-containing DNA substrate and we provide further evidence that indicates cooperation between Mus81 and the RFC complex in the repair of DNA lesions generated by various DNA-damaging agents. Conclusions Identification of new interacting partners and modulators of Mus81-Mms4 nuclease, RFC, and PCNA imply the cooperation of these factors in resolution of stalled replication forks and branched DNA structures emanating from the restarted replication forks under conditions of replication stress. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-017-0429-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sisakova
- Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A7, CZ-62500, Brno, Czech Republic.,National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A4, CZ-62500, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center, Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, CZ-656 91, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Altmannova
- Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A7, CZ-62500, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center, Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, CZ-656 91, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Sebesta
- Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A7, CZ-62500, Brno, Czech Republic.,National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A4, CZ-62500, Brno, Czech Republic.,Present address: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Lumir Krejci
- Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A7, CZ-62500, Brno, Czech Republic. .,National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A4, CZ-62500, Brno, Czech Republic. .,International Clinical Research Center, Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, CZ-656 91, Brno, Czech Republic.
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