Kinetic and catalytic properties of dimeric KpnI DNA methyltransferase

Identification and characterization of a new HNH restriction endonuclease with unusual properties

Restriction-modification (R-M) systems form a large superfamily constituting bacterial innate immunity mechanism. The restriction endonucleases (REases) are very diverse in subunit structure, DNA recognition, co-factor requirement, and mechanism of action. Among the different catalytic motifs, HNH active sites containing REases are the second largest group distinguished by the presence of the ββα-metal finger fold. KpnI is the first member of the HNH-family REases whose homologs are present in many bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae having varied degrees of sequence similarity between them. Considering that the homologs with a high similarity may have retained KpnI-like properties, while those with a low similarity could be different, we have characterized a distant KpnI homolog present in a pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae NTUH K2044. A comparison of the properties of KpnI and KpnK revealed that despite their similarity and the HNH motif, these two enzymes have different properties viz oligomerization, cleavage pattern, metal ion requirement, recognition sequence, and sequence specificity. Unlike KpnI, KpnK is a monomer in solution, nicks double-stranded DNA, recognizes degenerate sequence, and catalyses the degradation of DNA into smaller products after the initial cleavage at preferred sites. Due to several distinctive properties, it can be classified as a variant of the Type IIS enzyme having nicking endonuclease activity. KEY POINTS: • KpnK is a distant homolog of KpnI and belongs to the ββα-metal finger superfamily. • Both KpnI and KpnK have widespread occurrence in K. pneumoniae strains. • KpnK is a Type IIS restriction endonuclease with a single-strand nicking property.

Beta class amino methyltransferases from bacteria to humans: evolution and structural consequences

S-adenosyl-l-methionine dependent methyltransferases catalyze methyl transfers onto a wide variety of target molecules, including DNA and RNA. We discuss a family of methyltransferases, those that act on the amino groups of adenine or cytosine in DNA, have conserved motifs in a particular order in their amino acid sequence, and are referred to as class beta MTases. Members of this class include M.EcoGII and M.EcoP15I from Escherichia coli, Caulobacter crescentus cell cycle-regulated DNA methyltransferase (CcrM), the MTA1-MTA9 complex from the ciliate Oxytricha, and the mammalian MettL3-MettL14 complex. These methyltransferases all generate N6-methyladenine in DNA, with some members having activity on single-stranded DNA as well as RNA. The beta class of methyltransferases has a unique multimeric feature, forming either homo- or hetero-dimers, allowing the enzyme to use division of labor between two subunits in terms of substrate recognition and methylation. We suggest that M.EcoGII may represent an ancestral form of these enzymes, as its activity is independent of the nucleic acid type (RNA or DNA), its strandedness (single or double), and its sequence (aside from the target adenine).

Kinetic and catalytic properties of M.HpyAXVII, a phase-variable DNA methyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common infectious agents found in the human stomach. H. pylori has an unusually large number of DNA methyltransferases (MTases), prompting speculation that they may be involved in the cancerization of epithelial cells. The mod-4a/4b locus, consisting of the hp1369 and hp1370 ORFs, encodes for a truncated and inactive MTase in H. pylori strain 26695. However, slipped-strand synthesis within the phase-variable polyguanine tract in hp1369 results in expression of an active HP1369-1370 fusion N ⁶-adenine methyltransferase, designated M.HpyAXVII. Sequence analysis of the mod-4a/4b locus across 74 H. pylori strain genomes has provided insights into the regulation of M.HpyAXVII expression. To better understand the role of M.HpyAXVII in the H. pylori biology, here we cloned and overexpressed the hp1369-70 fusion construct in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. Results from size-exclusion chromatography and multi-angle light scattering (MALS) analyses suggested that M.HpyAXVII exists as a dimer in solution. Kinetic studies, including product and substrate inhibition analyses, initial velocity dependence between substrates, and isotope partitioning, suggested that M.HpyAXVII catalyzes DNA methylation in an ordered Bi Bi mechanism in which the AdoMet binding precedes DNA binding and AdoMet's methyl group is then transferred to an adenine within the DNA recognition sequence. Altering the highly conserved catalytic motif (DPP(Y/F)) as well as the AdoMet-binding motif (FXGXG) by site-directed mutagenesis abolished the catalytic activity of M.HpyAXVII. These results provide insights into the enzyme kinetic mechanism of M.HpyAXVII. We propose that AdoMet binding conformationally "primes" the enzyme for DNA binding.

Development of specific dengue virus 2'-O- and N7-methyltransferase assays for antiviral drug screening

Dengue virus (DENV) protein NS5 carries two mRNA cap methyltransferase (MTase) activities involved in the synthesis of a cap structure, (7Me)GpppA(2'OMe)-RNA, at the 5'-end of the viral mRNA. The methylation of the cap guanine at its N7-position (N7-MTase, (7Me)GpppA-RNA) is essential for viral replication. The development of high throughput methods to identify specific inhibitors of N7-MTase is hampered by technical limitations in the large scale synthesis of long capped RNAs. In this work, we describe an efficient method to generate such capped RNA, GpppA(2'OMe)-RNA₇₄, by ligation of two RNA fragments. Then, we use GpppA(2'OMe)-RNA₇₄ as a substrate to assess DENV N7-MTase activity and to develop a robust and specific activity assay. We applied the same ligation procedure to generate (7Me)GpppA-RNA₇₄ in order to characterize the DENV 2'-O-MTase activity specifically on long capped RNA. We next compared the N7- and 2'-O-MTase inhibition effect of 18 molecules, previously proposed to affect MTase activities. These experiments allow the validation of a rapid and sensitive method easily adaptable for high-throughput inhibitor screening in anti-flaviviral drug development.

Diverse functions of restriction-modification systems in addition to cellular defense

Restriction-modification (R-M) systems are ubiquitous and are often considered primitive immune systems in bacteria. Their diversity and prevalence across the prokaryotic kingdom are an indication of their success as a defense mechanism against invading genomes. However, their cellular defense function does not adequately explain the basis for their immaculate specificity in sequence recognition and nonuniform distribution, ranging from none to too many, in diverse species. The present review deals with new developments which provide insights into the roles of these enzymes in other aspects of cellular function. In this review, emphasis is placed on novel hypotheses and various findings that have not yet been dealt with in a critical review. Emerging studies indicate their role in various cellular processes other than host defense, virulence, and even controlling the rate of evolution of the organism. We also discuss how R-M systems could have successfully evolved and be involved in additional cellular portfolios, thereby increasing the relative fitness of their hosts in the population.

Organization of the BcgI restriction-modification protein for the transfer of one methyl group to DNA

The Type IIB restriction–modification protein BcgI contains A and B subunits in a 2:1 ratio: A has the active sites for both endonuclease and methyltransferase functions while B recognizes the DNA. Like almost all Type IIB systems, BcgI needs two unmethylated sites for nuclease activity; it cuts both sites upstream and downstream of the recognition sequence, hydrolyzing eight phosphodiester bonds in a single synaptic complex. This complex may incorporate four A₂B protomers to give the eight catalytic centres (one per A subunit) needed to cut all eight bonds. The BcgI recognition sequence contains one adenine in each strand that can be N⁶-methylated. Although most DNA methyltransferases operate at both unmethylated and hemi-methylated sites, BcgI methyltransferase is only effective at hemi-methylated sites, where the nuclease component is inactive. Unlike the nuclease, the methyltransferase acts at solitary sites, functioning catalytically rather than stoichiometrically. Though it transfers one methyl group at a time, presumably through a single A subunit, BcgI methyltransferase can be activated by adding extra A subunits, either individually or as part of A₂B protomers, which indicates that it requires an assembly containing at least two A₂B units.

Binding of DNA methyltransferase M.Ecl18kI [corrected] to operator-promoter region decreases its methylating activity

The type II bifunctional DNA methyltransferase (MTase) Ecl18 that is able to control transcription of its own gene was studied kinetically. Based on initial velocity dependences from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) and target DNA and substrate preincubation assays, it is proposed that the enzyme apparently works by a rapid equilibrium ordered bi-bi mechanism with DNA binding first. By measuring the enzyme activity depending on DNA and AdoMet at different fixed concentrations of the operator sequence oligonucleotide, it was found that its binding has noncompetitive inhibitory effect on Ecl18 MTase activity.

DNA methyltransferases: mechanistic models derived from kinetic analysis

The sequence-specific transfer of methyl groups from donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to certain positions of DNA-adenine or -cytosine residues by DNA methyltransferases (MTases) is a major form of epigenetic modification. It is virtually ubiquitous, except for some notable exceptions. Site-specific methylation can be regarded as a means to increase DNA information capacity and is involved in a large spectrum of biological processes. The importance of these functions necessitates a deeper understanding of the enzymatic mechanism(s) of DNA methylation. DNA MTases fall into one of two general classes; viz. amino-MTases and [C5-cytosine]-MTases. Amino-MTases, common in prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes, catalyze methylation of the exocyclic amino group of adenine ([N6-adenine]-MTase) or cytosine ([N4-cytosine]-MTase). In contrast, [C5-cytosine]-MTases methylate the cyclic carbon-5 atom of cytosine. Characteristics of DNA MTases are highly variable, differing in their affinity to their substrates or reaction products, their kinetic parameters, or other characteristics (order of substrate binding, rate limiting step in the overall reaction). It is not possible to present a unifying account of the published kinetic analyses of DNA methylation because different authors have used different substrate DNAs and/or reaction conditions. Nevertheless, it would be useful to describe those kinetic data and the mechanistic models that have been derived from them. Thus, this review considers in turn studies carried out with the most consistently and extensively investigated [N6-adenine]-, [N4-cytosine]- and [C5-cytosine]-DNA MTases.

Functional analysis of an acid adaptive DNA adenine methyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori 26695

HP0593 DNA-(N(6)-adenine)-methyltransferase (HP0593 MTase) is a member of a Type III restriction-modification system in Helicobacter pylori strain 26695. HP0593 MTase has been cloned, overexpressed and purified heterologously in Escherichia coli. The recognition sequence of the purified MTase was determined as 5'-GCAG-3'and the site of methylation was found to be adenine. The activity of HP0593 MTase was found to be optimal at pH 5.5. This is a unique property in context of natural adaptation of H. pylori in its acidic niche. Dot-blot assay using antibodies that react specifically with DNA containing m6A modification confirmed that HP0593 MTase is an adenine-specific MTase. HP0593 MTase occurred as both monomer and dimer in solution as determined by gel-filtration chromatography and chemical-crosslinking studies. The nonlinear dependence of methylation activity on enzyme concentration indicated that more than one molecule of enzyme was required for its activity. Analysis of initial velocity with AdoMet as a substrate showed that two molecules of AdoMet bind to HP0593 MTase, which is the first example in case of Type III MTases. Interestingly, metal ion cofactors such as Co(2+), Mn(2+), and also Mg(2+) stimulated the HP0593 MTase activity. Preincubation and isotope partitioning analyses clearly indicated that HP0593 MTase-DNA complex is catalytically competent, and suggested that DNA binds to the MTase first followed by AdoMet. HP0593 MTase shows a distributive mechanism of methylation on DNA having more than one recognition site. Considering the occurrence of GCAG sequence in the potential promoter regions of physiologically important genes in H. pylori, our results provide impetus for exploring the role of this DNA MTase in the cellular processes of H. pylori.

Kinetics of Methylation by EcoP1I DNA Methyltransferase

EcoP1I DNA MTase (M.EcoP1I), an N⁶-adenine MTase from bacteriophage P1, is a part of the EcoP1I restriction-modification (R-M) system which belongs to the Type III R-M system. It recognizes the sequence 5′-AGACC-3′ and methylates the internal adenine. M.EcoP1I requires Mg²⁺ for the transfer of methyl groups to DNA. M.EcoP1I is shown to exist as dimer in solution, and even at high salt concentrations (0.5 M) the dimeric M.EcoP1I does not dissociate into monomers suggesting a strong interaction between the monomer subunits. Preincubation and isotope partitioning studies with M.EcoP1I indicate a kinetic mechanism where the duplex DNA binds first followed by AdoMet. Interestingly, M.EcoP1I methylates DNA substrates in the presence of Mn²⁺ and Ca²⁺ other than Mg²⁺ with varying affinities. Amino acid analysis and methylation assays in the presence of metal ions suggest that M.EcoP1I has indeed two metal ion-binding sites [³⁵⁸ID(x)_n … ExK⁴⁰¹ and ⁶⁰⁰DxDxD⁶⁰⁴ motif]. EcoP1I DNA MTase catalyzes the transfer of methyl groups using a distributive mode of methylation on DNA containing more than one recognition site. A chemical modification of EcoP1I DNA MTase using N-ethylmaleimide resulted in an irreversible inactivation of enzyme activity suggesting the possible role of cysteine residues in catalysis.

Diversity of DNA methyltransferases that recognize asymmetric target sequences

DNA methyltransferases (MTases) are a group of enzymes that catalyze the methyl group transfer from S-adenosyl-L-methionine in a sequence-specific manner. Orthodox Type II DNA MTases usually recognize palindromic DNA sequences and add a methyl group to the target base (either adenine or cytosine) on both strands. However, there are a number of MTases that recognize asymmetric target sequences and differ in their subunit organization. In a bacterial cell, after each round of replication, the substrate for any MTase is hemimethylated DNA, and it therefore needs only a single methylation event to restore the fully methylated state. This is in consistent with the fact that most of the DNA MTases studied exist as monomers in solution. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that some DNA MTases function as dimers. Further, functional analysis of many restriction-modification systems showed the presence of more than one or fused MTase genes. It was proposed that presence of two MTases responsible for the recognition and methylation of asymmetric sequences would protect the nascent strands generated during DNA replication from cognate restriction endonuclease. In this review, MTases recognizing asymmetric sequences have been grouped into different subgroups based on their unique properties. Detailed characterization of these unusual MTases would help in better understanding of their specific biological roles and mechanisms of action. The rapid progress made by the genome sequencing of bacteria and archaea may accelerate the identification and study of species- and strain-specific MTases of host-adapted bacteria and their roles in pathogenic mechanisms.

Dimeric/oligomeric DNA methyltransferases: an unfinished story

DNA methyltransferases (MTases) are enzymes that carry out post-replicative sequence-specific modifications. The initial experimental data on the structure and kinetic characteristics of the EcoRI MTase led to the paradigm that type II systems comprise dimeric endonucleases and monomeric MTases. In retrospect, this was logical because, while the biological substrate of the restriction endonuclease is two-fold symmetrical, the in vivo substrate for the MTase is generally hemi-methylated and, hence, inherently asymmetric. Thus, the paradigm was extended to include all DNA MTases except the more complex bifunctional type I and type III enzymes. Nevertheless, a gradual enlightenment grew over the last decade that has changed the accepted view on the structure of DNA MTases. These results necessitate a more complex view of the structure and function of these important enzymes.

Escherichia coli DNA adenine methyltransferase: intrasite processivity and substrate-induced dimerization and activation

Methylation of GATC sites in Escherichia coli by DNA adenine methyltransferase (EcoDam) is essential for proper DNA replication timing, gene regulation, and mismatch repair. The low cellular concentration of EcoDam and the high number of GATC sites in the genome (approximately 20000) support the reliance on methylation efficiency-enhancing strategies such as extensive intersite processivity. Here, we present evidence that EcoDam has evolved other unique mechanisms of activation not commonly observed with restriction-modification methyltransferases. EcoDam dimerizes on short, synthetic DNA, resulting in enhanced catalysis; however, dimerization is not observed on large genomic DNA where the potential for intersite processive methylation precludes any dimerization-dependent activation. An activated form of the enzyme is apparent on large genomic DNA and can also be achieved with high concentrations of short, synthetic substrates. We suggest that this activation is inherent on polymeric DNA where either multiple GATC sites are available for methylation or the partitioning of the enzyme onto nonspecific DNA is favored. Unlike other restriction-modification methyltransferases, EcoDam carries out intrasite processive catalysis whereby the enzyme-DNA complex methylates both strands of an unmethylated GATC site prior to dissociation from the DNA. This occurs with short 21 bp oligonucleotides and is highly dependent upon salt concentrations. Kinetic modeling which invokes enzyme activation by both dimerization and excess substrate provides mechanistic insights into key regulatory checkpoints for an enzyme involved in multiple, diverse biological pathways.

6His-Eco29kI methyltransferase methylation site and kinetic mechanism characterization

A new type II 6His-Eco29kI DNA methyltransferase was tested for methylation site (CC(Me)GCGG) and catalytic reaction optimal conditions. With high substrate concentrations, an inhibitory effect of DNA, but not AdoMet, on its activity was observed. Isotope partitioning and substrate preincubation assays showed that the enzyme-AdoMet complex is catalytically active. Considering effect of different concentrations of DNA and AdoMet on initial velocity, ping-pong mechanisms were ruled out. According to data obtained, the enzyme appears to work by preferred ordered bi-bi mechanism with AdoMet as leading substrate.

Structure, function and mechanism of exocyclic DNA methyltransferases

DNA MTases (methyltransferases) catalyse the transfer of methyl groups to DNA from AdoMet (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) producing AdoHcy (S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine) and methylated DNA. The C5 and N4 positions of cytosine and N6 position of adenine are the target sites for methylation. All three methylation patterns are found in prokaryotes, whereas cytosine at the C5 position is the only methylation reaction that is known to occur in eukaryotes. In general, MTases are two-domain proteins comprising one large and one small domain with the DNA-binding cleft located at the domain interface. The striking feature of all the structurally characterized DNA MTases is that they share a common core structure referred to as an 'AdoMet-dependent MTase fold'. DNA methylation has been reported to be essential for bacterial virulence, and it has been suggested that DNA adenine MTases (Dams) could be potential targets for both vaccines and antimicrobials. Drugs that block Dam could slow down bacterial growth and therefore drug-design initiatives could result in a whole new generation of antibiotics. The transfer of larger chemical entities in a MTase-catalysed reaction has been reported and this represents an interesting challenge for bio-organic chemists. In general, amino MTases could therefore be used as delivery systems for fluorescent or other reporter groups on to DNA. This is one of the potential applications of DNA MTases towards developing non-radioactive DNA probes and these could have interesting applications in molecular biology. Being nucleotide-sequence-specific, DNA MTases provide excellent model systems for studies on protein-DNA interactions. The focus of this review is on the chemistry, enzymology and structural aspects of exocyclic amino MTases.

Functional analysis of amino acid residues at the dimerisation interface of KpnI DNA methyltransferase

KpnI DNA-(N6-adenine) methyltransferase (M.KpnI) recognises the sequence 5'-GGTACC-3' and transfers the methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to the N6 position of the adenine residue in each strand. Earlier studies have shown that M.KpnI exists as a dimer in solution, unlike most other MTases. To address the importance of dimerisation for enzyme function, a three-dimensional model of M.KpnI was obtained based on protein fold-recognition analysis, using the crystal structures of M.RsrI and M.MboIIA as templates. Residues I146, I161 and Y167, the side chains of which are present in the putative dimerisation interface in the model, were targeted for site-directed mutagenesis. Methylation and in vitro restriction assays showed that the mutant MTases are catalytically inactive. Mutation at the I146 position resulted in complete disruption of the dimer. The replacement of I146 led to drastically reduced DNA and cofactor binding. Substitution of I161 resulted in weakening of the interaction between monomers, leading to both monomeric and dimeric species. Steady-state fluorescence measurements showed that the wild-type KpnI MTase induces structural distortion in bound DNA, while the mutant MTases do not. The results establish that monomeric MTase is catalytically inactive and that dimerisation is an essential event for M.KpnI to catalyse the methyl transfer reaction.

Hyperthermophilic DNA methyltransferase M.PabI from the archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi

Genome sequence comparisons among multiple species of Pyrococcus, a hyperthermophilic archaeon, revealed a linkage between a putative restriction-modification gene complex and several large genome polymorphisms/rearrangements. From a region apparently inserted into the Pyrococcus abyssi genome, a hyperthermoresistant restriction enzyme [PabI; 5'-(GTA/C)] with a novel structure was discovered. In the present work, the neighboring methyltransferase homologue, M.PabI, was characterized. Its N-terminal half showed high similarities to the M subunit of type I systems and a modification enzyme of an atypical type II system, M.AhdI, while its C-terminal half showed high similarity to the S subunit of type I systems. M.PabI expressed within Escherichia coli protected PabI sites from RsaI, a PabI isoschizomer. M.PabI, purified following overexpression, was shown to generate 5'-GTm6AC, which provides protection against PabI digestion. M.PabI was found to be highly thermophilic; it showed methylation at 95 degrees C and retained at least half the activity after 9 min at 95 degrees C. This hyperthermophilicity allowed us to obtain activation energy and other thermodynamic parameters for the first time for any DNA methyltransferases. We also determined the kinetic parameters of kcat, Km, DNA, and Km, AdoMet. The activity of M.PabI was optimal at a slightly acidic pH and at an NaCl concentration of 200 to 500 mM and was inhibited by Zn2+ but not by Mg2+, Ca2+, or Mn2+. These and previous results suggest that this unique methyltransferase and PabI constitute a type II restriction-modification gene complex that inserted into the P. abyssi genome relatively recently. As the most thermophilic of all the characterized DNA methyltransferases, M.PabI may help in the analysis of DNA methylation and its application to DNA engineering.

Crystal structure of Bacillus subtilis TrmB, the tRNA (m7G46) methyltransferase

The structure of Bacillus subtilis TrmB (BsTrmB), the tRNA (m⁷G46) methyltransferase, was determined at a resolution of 2.1 Å. This is the first structure of a member of the TrmB family to be determined by X-ray crystallography. It reveals a unique variant of the Rossmann-fold methyltransferase (RFM) structure, with the N-terminal helix folded on the opposite site of the catalytic domain. The architecture of the active site and a computational docking model of BsTrmB in complex with the methyl group donor S-adenosyl-l-methionine and the tRNA substrate provide an explanation for results from mutagenesis studies of an orthologous enzyme from Escherichia coli (EcTrmB). However, unlike EcTrmB, BsTrmB is shown here to be dimeric both in the crystal and in solution. The dimer interface has a hydrophobic core and buries a potassium ion and five water molecules. The evolutionary analysis of the putative interface residues in the TrmB family suggests that homodimerization may be a specific feature of TrmBs from Bacilli, which may represent an early stage of evolution to an obligatory dimer.

Dimerization of the bacterial RsrI N6-adenine DNA methyltransferase

Dimeric restriction endonucleases and monomeric modification methyltransferases were long accepted as the structural paradigm for Type II restriction systems. Recent studies, however, have revealed an increasing number of apparently dimeric DNA methyltransferases. Our initial characterization of RsrI methyltransferase (M.RsrI) was consistent with the enzyme functioning as a monomer, but, subsequently, the enzyme crystallized as a dimer with 1500 Ų of buried surface area. This result led us to re-examine the biochemical properties of M.RsrI. Gel-shift studies of M.RsrI binding to DNA suggested that binding cooperativity targets hemimethylated DNA preferentially over unmethylated DNA. Size-exclusion chromatography indicated that the M.RsrI–DNA complex had a size and stoichiometry consistent with a dimeric enzyme binding to the DNA. Kinetic measurements revealed a quadratic relationship between enzyme velocity and concentration. Site-directed mutagenesis at the dimer interface affected the kinetics and DNA-binding of the enzyme, providing support for a model proposing an active enzyme dimer. We also identified a conserved motif in the dimer interfaces of the β-class methyltransferases M.RsrI, M.MboIIA and M2.DpnII. Taken together, these data suggest that M.RsrI may be part of a sub-class of MTases that function as dimers.

Kinetic analysis of a Golgi UDP-GlcNAc:polypeptide-Thr/Ser N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminyltransferase from Dictyostelium

Mucin-type O-glycosylation in Dictyostelium is initiated in the Golgi by a UDP-GlcNAc:polypeptide-Thr/Ser N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminyltransferase (Dd-pp alphaGlcNAcT2) whose sequence is distantly related to the sequences of animal polypeptide-Thr/Ser N-acetyl-alpha-galactosaminyltransferases, such as murine Mm-pp alphaGalNAcT1. To evaluate the significance of this similarity, highly purified Dd-pp alphaGlcNAcT2 was assayed using synthetic peptides derived from known substrates. Dd-pp alphaGlcNAcT2 strongly prefers UDP-GlcNAc over UDP-GalNAc, preferentially modifies the central region of the peptide, and modifies Ser in addition to Thr residues. Initial velocity measurements performed over a matrix of UDP-GlcNAc donor and peptide acceptor concentrations indicate that the substrates bind to the enzyme in ordered fashion before the chemical conversion. Substrate inhibition exerted by a second peptide, and the pattern of product inhibition exerted by UDP, suggest that UDP-GlcNAc binds first and the peptide binds second, consistent with data reported for Mm-pp alphaGalNAcT1. Two selective competitive inhibitors of Mm-pp alphaGalNAcT1, retrieved from a screen of neutral-charge uridine derivatives, also inhibit Dd-pp alphaGlcNAcT1 competitively with only slightly less efficacy. Inhibition is specific for Dd-pp alphaGlcNAcT2 relative to two other Dictyostelium retaining glycosyltransferases. These data support a phylogenetic model in which the alphaGlcNAcT function in unicellular eukaryotes converted to an alphaGalNAcT function in the metazoan ortholog while conserving a similar reaction mechanism and active site architecture.

Survey of the year 2003 commercial optical biosensor literature

In the year 2003 there was a 17% increase in the number of publications citing work performed using optical biosensor technology compared with the previous year. We collated the 962 total papers for 2003, identified the geographical regions where the work was performed, highlighted the instrument types on which it was carried out, and segregated the papers by biological system. In this overview, we spotlight 13 papers that should be on everyone's 'must read' list for 2003 and provide examples of how to identify and interpret high-quality biosensor data. Although we still find that the literature is replete with poorly performed experiments, over-interpreted results and a general lack of understanding of data analysis, we are optimistic that these shortcomings will be addressed as biosensor technology continues to mature.

Bacteriophage T4Dam DNA-(adenine-N(6))-methyltransferase. Comparison of pre-steady state and single turnover methylation of 40-mer duplexes containing two (un)modified target sites

We analyzed pre-steady state and single turnover kinetics of bacteriophage T4Dam DNA-(adenine-N(6))-methyltransferase-mediated methyl group transfer from S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) to 40-mer duplexes containing native recognition sites (5'-GATC/5'-GATC) or some modified variant(s). The results extend a model from studies with single-site 20-mer duplexes. Under pre-steady state conditions, monomeric T4Dam methyltransferase-AdoMet complexes were capable of rapid methylation of adenine residues in 40-mer duplexes containing two sites. During processive movement of T4Dam to the next site, the rate-limiting step was the exchange of the product S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (AdoHcy) for AdoMet without T4Dam dissociating from the duplex. Consequently, instead of a single exponential rate dependence, complex methylation curves were obtained with at least two pre-steady state steps. With 40-mer duplexes containing a single target site, the kinetics were simpler, fitting a single exponential followed by a linear steady state phase. Single turnover methylation of 40-mer duplexes also proceeded in two stages. First, two dimeric T4Dam-AdoMet molecules bound, and each catalyzed a two-step methylation. Instead of processive movement of T4Dam, a conformational adaptation occurred. We propose that following methyl transfer to one strand, dimeric (T4Dam-AdoMet)-(T4Dam-AdoHcy) was capable of rapidly reorienting itself and catalyzing methyl transfer to the target adenine on the complementary, unmethylated strand. This second stage methyl transfer occurred at a rate about 25-fold slower than in the first step; it was rate-limited by Dam-AdoHcy dissociation or its clearance from the methylated complementary strand. Under single turnover conditions, there was complete methylation of all target adenine residues with each of the two-site 40-mer duplexes.

KpnI restriction endonuclease and methyltransferase exhibit contrasting mode of sequence recognition

The molecular basis of the interaction of KpnI restriction endonuclease (REase) and the corresponding methyltransferase (MTase) at their cognate recognition sequence is investigated using a range of footprinting techniques. DNase I protection analysis with the REase reveals the protection of a 14-18 bp region encompassing the hexanucleotide recognition sequence. The MTase, in contrast, protects a larger region. KpnI REase contacts two adjacent guanine residues and the single adenine residue in both the strands within the recognition sequence 5'-GGTACC-3', inferred by dimethylsulfate (DMS) protection, interference and missing nucleotide interference analysis. In contrast, KpnI MTase does not show elaborate base-specific contacts. Ethylation interference analysis also showed the differential interaction of REase and MTase with phosphate groups of three adjacent bases on both strands within the recognition sequence. The single thymine residue within the sequence is hyper- reactive to the permanganate oxidation, consistent with MTase-induced base flipping. The REase on the other hand does not show any major DNA distortion. The results demonstrate that the differences in the molecular interaction pattern of the two proteins at the same recognition sequence reflect the contrasting chemistry of DNA cleavage and methylation catalyzed by these two dissimilar enzymes, working in combination as constituents of a cellular defense strategy.

The N-Terminus of Drosophila SU(VAR)3−9 Mediates Dimerization and Regulates Its Methyltransferase Activity†

In most eukaryotes, the histone methyltransferase SU(VAR)3-9 and its orthologues play a major role in the function of centromeric heterochromatin. Although the methyltransferase domain is required for the formation of a fully functional centromere, mutations within other regions of the gene such as the N-terminus also have a strong impact on its in vivo function. To analyze the contribution of the N-terminus on the methyltransferase activity, we have expressed the full-length Drosophila SU(VAR)3-9 (dSU(VAR)3-9) together with various N-terminal deletions in Escherichia coli and analyzed the structural and enzymatic properties of the purified recombinant enzymes. Full-length dSU(VAR)3-9 specifically methylates lysine 9 within histone H3 on peptides, on intact histones, and, to a lesser extent, on nucleosomes. A detailed analysis of the reaction products shows that dSU(VAR)3-9 adds two methyl groups to an unmethylated H3 tail peptide in a nonprocessive manner. The full-length enzyme elutes with an apparent molecular weight of 160 kDa from a gel filtration column, which indicates the formation of a dimer. This property is dependent on an intact N-terminus. In contrast to the full-length enzymes, proteins lacking the N-terminus fail to dimerize, and show a 10-fold lower specific activity and a linear dependence of methyltransferase activity on enzyme concentration. A N-terminal peptide containing amino acids 1-152 of dSU(VAR)3-9 is sufficient to mediate this interaction in vitro. The dimerization of dSU(VAR)3-9 and the subsequent increase of its methyltransferase activity provide a starting point to understand the molecular details of the formation of heterochromatic structures in vivo.

Characterization of the LlaCI methyltransferase from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris W15 provides new insights into the biology of type II restriction-modification systems

The gene encoding the LlaCI methyltransferase (M.LlaCI) from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris W15 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity using three consecutive steps of chromatography on phosphocellulose, blue-agarose and Superose 12HR, yielding a protein of M(r) 31 300+/-1000 under denaturing conditions. The exact position of the start codon AUG was determined by protein microsequencing. This enzyme recognizes the specific palindromic sequence 5'-AAGCTT-3'. Purified M.LlaCI was characterized. Unlike many other methyltransferases, M.LlaCI exists in solution predominantly as a dimer. It modifies the first adenine residue at the 5' end of the specific sequence to N(6)-methyladenine and thus is functionally identical to the corresponding methyltransferases of the HindIII (Haemophilus influenzae Rd) and EcoVIII (Escherichia coli E1585-68) restriction-modification systems. This is reflected in the identity of M.LlaCI with M.HindIII and M.EcoVIII noted at the amino acid sequence level (50 % and 62 %, respectively) and in the presence of nine sequence motifs conserved among N(6)-adenine beta-class methyltransferases. However, polyclonal antibodies raised against M.EcoVIII cross-reacted with M.LlaCI but not with M.HindIII. Restriction endonucleases require Mg(2+) for phosphodiester bond cleavage. Mg(2+) was shown to be a strong inhibitor of the M.LlaCI enzyme and its isospecific homologues. This observation suggests that sensitivity of the M.LlaCI to Mg(2+) may strengthen the restriction activity of the cognate endonuclease in the bacterial cell. Other biological implications of this finding are also discussed.