1
|
Perumal SK. A real-time fluorescent gp32 probe-based assay for monitoring single-stranded DNA-dependent DNA processing enzymes. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 35:101518. [PMID: 37534323 PMCID: PMC10391720 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) generated during DNA replication, recombination and damage repair reactions is an important intermediate and ssDNA-binding proteins that binds these intermediates coordinate various DNA metabolic processes. Mechanistic details of these ssDNA-dependent processes can be explored by monitoring the generation and consumption of ssDNA in real time. In this work, a fluorescein-labeled gp32-based sensor was employed to continuously monitor various aspects of ssDNA-dependent DNA replication and recombination processes in real time. The gp32 protein probe displayed high sensitivity and specificity to a variety of ssDNA-dependent processes of T4 phage. Several applications of the probe are illustrated here: the solution dynamics of ssDNA-binding protein, protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions involving gp32 protein and its mode of interaction, ssDNA translocation and protein displacement activities of helicases, primer extension activity of DNA polymerase holoenzyme and nucleoprotein filament formation during DNA recombination. The assay has identified new protein-protein interactions of gp32 during T4 replication and recombination. The fluorescent probe described here can thus be used as a universal probe for monitoring in real time various ssDNA-dependent processes, which is based on a well-characterized and easy-to-express bacteriophage T4 gene 32 protein, gp32.
Collapse
|
2
|
Kaur S, Nieto NS, McDonald P, Beck JR, Honzatko RB, Roy A, Nelson SW. Discovery of small molecule inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast DNA polymerase. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:1320-1326. [PMID: 35514163 PMCID: PMC9090415 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2070909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is caused by infection with protozoan parasites of the Plasmodium genus, which is part of the phylum Apicomplexa. Most organisms in this phylum contain a relic plastid called the apicoplast. The apicoplast genome is replicated by a single DNA polymerase (apPOL), which is an attractive target for anti-malarial drugs. We screened small-molecule libraries (206,504 compounds) using a fluorescence-based high-throughput DNA polymerase assay. Dose/response analysis and counter-screening identified 186 specific apPOL inhibitors. Toxicity screening against human HepaRG human cells removed 84 compounds and the remaining were subjected to parasite killing assays using chloroquine resistant P. falciparum parasites. Nine compounds were potent inhibitors of parasite growth and may serve as lead compounds in efforts to discover novel malaria drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Supreet Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Nicholas S. Nieto
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Peter McDonald
- High Throughput Screening Laboratory, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Josh R. Beck
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Richard B. Honzatko
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Anuradha Roy
- High Throughput Screening Laboratory, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Scott W. Nelson
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Benkovic SJ, Spiering MM. Understanding DNA replication by the bacteriophage T4 replisome. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:18434-18442. [PMID: 28972188 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r117.811208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The T4 replisome has provided a unique opportunity to investigate the intricacies of DNA replication. We present a comprehensive review of this system focusing on the following: its 8-protein composition, their individual and synergistic activities, and assembly in vitro and in vivo into a replisome capable of coordinated leading/lagging strand DNA synthesis. We conclude with a brief comparison with other replisomes with emphasis on how coordinated DNA replication is achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Benkovic
- From the Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Michelle M Spiering
- From the Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Coordinated DNA Replication by the Bacteriophage T4 Replisome. Viruses 2015; 7:3186-200. [PMID: 26102578 PMCID: PMC4488733 DOI: 10.3390/v7062766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The T4 bacteriophage encodes eight proteins, which are sufficient to carry out coordinated leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis. These purified proteins have been used to reconstitute DNA synthesis in vitro and are a well-characterized model system. Recent work on the T4 replisome has yielded more detailed insight into the dynamics and coordination of proteins at the replication fork. Since the leading and lagging strands are synthesized in opposite directions, coordination of DNA synthesis as well as priming and unwinding is accomplished by several protein complexes. These protein complexes serve to link catalytic activities and physically tether proteins to the replication fork. Essential to both leading and lagging strand synthesis is the formation of a holoenzyme complex composed of the polymerase and a processivity clamp. The two holoenzymes form a dimer allowing the lagging strand polymerase to be retained within the replisome after completion of each Okazaki fragment. The helicase and primase also form a complex known as the primosome, which unwinds the duplex DNA while also synthesizing primers on the lagging strand. Future studies will likely focus on defining the orientations and architecture of protein complexes at the replication fork.
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhao Y, Chen D, Yue H, Spiering M, Zhao C, Benkovic SJ, Huang TJ. Dark-field illumination on zero-mode waveguide/microfluidic hybrid chip reveals T4 replisomal protein interactions. NANO LETTERS 2014; 14:1952-60. [PMID: 24628474 PMCID: PMC4183369 DOI: 10.1021/nl404802f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The ability of zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs) to guide light energy into subwavelength-diameter cylindrical nanoapertures has been exploited for single-molecule fluorescence studies of biomolecules at micromolar concentrations, the typical dissociation constants for biomolecular interactions. Although epi-fluorescence microscopy is now adopted for ZMW-based imaging as an alternative to the commercialized ZMW imaging platform, its suitability and performance awaits rigorous examination. Here, we present conical lens-based dark-field fluorescence microscopy in combination with a ZMW/microfluidic chip for single-molecule fluorescence imaging. We demonstrate that compared to epi-illumination, the dark-field configuration displayed diminished background and noise and enhanced signal-to-noise ratios. This signal-to-noise ratio for imaging using the dark-field setup remains essentially unperturbed by the presence of background fluorescent molecules at micromolar concentration. Our design allowed single-molecule FRET studies that revealed weak DNA-protein and protein-protein interactions found with T4 replisomal proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Zhao
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Danqi Chen
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Hongjun Yue
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Michelle
M. Spiering
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Chenglong Zhao
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Stephen J. Benkovic
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- E-mail: (S.L.B.)
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- E-mail: (T.J.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yuan Q, McHenry CS. Cycling of the E. coli lagging strand polymerase is triggered exclusively by the availability of a new primer at the replication fork. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:1747-56. [PMID: 24234450 PMCID: PMC3919610 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two models have been proposed for triggering release of the lagging strand polymerase at the replication fork, enabling cycling to the primer for the next Okazaki fragment—either collision with the 5′-end of the preceding fragment (collision model) or synthesis of a new primer by primase (signaling model). Specific perturbation of lagging strand elongation on minicircles with a highly asymmetric G:C distribution with ddGTP or dGDPNP yielded results that confirmed the signaling model and ruled out the collision model. We demonstrated that the presence of a primer, not primase per se, provides the signal that triggers cycling. Lagging strand synthesis proceeds much faster than leading strand synthesis, explaining why gaps between Okazaki fragments are not found under physiological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Yuan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen D, Yue H, Spiering MM, Benkovic SJ. Insights into Okazaki fragment synthesis by the T4 replisome: the fate of lagging-strand holoenzyme components and their influence on Okazaki fragment size. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:20807-20816. [PMID: 23729670 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.485961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we employed a circular replication substrate with a low priming site frequency (1 site/1.1 kb) to quantitatively examine the size distribution and formation pattern of Okazaki fragments. Replication reactions by the T4 replisome on this substrate yielded a patterned series of Okazaki fragments whose size distribution shifted through collision and signaling mechanisms as the gp44/62 clamp loader levels changed but was insensitive to changes in the gp43 polymerase concentration, as expected for a processive, recycled lagging-strand polymerase. In addition, we showed that only one gp45 clamp is continuously associated with the replisome and that no additional clamps accumulate on the DNA, providing further evidence that the clamp departs, whereas the polymerase is recycled upon completion of an Okazaki fragment synthesis cycle. We found no support for the participation of a third polymerase in Okazaki fragment synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danqi Chen
- From 414, Wartik Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Hongjun Yue
- From 414, Wartik Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Michelle M Spiering
- From 414, Wartik Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Stephen J Benkovic
- From 414, Wartik Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Boyle KA, Stanitsa ES, Greseth MD, Lindgren JK, Traktman P. Evaluation of the role of the vaccinia virus uracil DNA glycosylase and A20 proteins as intrinsic components of the DNA polymerase holoenzyme. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:24702-13. [PMID: 21572084 PMCID: PMC3137046 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.222216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2011] [Revised: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The vaccinia virus DNA polymerase is inherently distributive but acquires processivity by associating with a heterodimeric processivity factor comprised of the viral A20 and D4 proteins. D4 is also an enzymatically active uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG). The presence of an active repair protein as an essential component of the polymerase holoenzyme is a unique feature of the replication machinery. We have shown previously that the A20-UDG complex has a stoichiometry of ∼1:1, and our data suggest that A20 serves as a bridge between polymerase and UDG. Here we show that conserved hydrophobic residues in the N' terminus of A20 are important for its binding to UDG. Our data argue against the assembly of D4 into higher order multimers, suggesting that the processivity factor does not form a toroidal ring around the DNA. Instead, we hypothesize that the intrinsic, processive DNA scanning activity of UDG tethers the holoenzyme to the DNA template. The inclusion of UDG as an essential holoenzyme component suggests that replication and base excision repair may be coupled. Here we show that the DNA polymerase can utilize dUTP as a substrate in vitro. Moreover, uracil moieties incorporated into the nascent strand during holoenzyme-mediated DNA synthesis can be excised by the viral UDG present within this holoenzyme, leaving abasic sites. Finally, we show that the polymerase stalls upon encountering an abasic site in the template strand, indicating that, like many replicative polymerases, the poxviral holoenzyme cannot perform translesion synthesis across an abasic site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A. Boyle
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Eleni S. Stanitsa
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Matthew D. Greseth
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Jill K. Lindgren
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Paula Traktman
- From the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Schaerli Y, Stein V, Spiering MM, Benkovic SJ, Abell C, Hollfelder F. Isothermal DNA amplification using the T4 replisome: circular nicking endonuclease-dependent amplification and primase-based whole-genome amplification. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 38:e201. [PMID: 20921065 PMCID: PMC3001092 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkq795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro reconstitution of the bacteriophage T4 replication machinery provides a novel system for fast and processive isothermal DNA amplification. We have characterized this system in two formats: (i) in circular nicking endonuclease-dependent amplification (cNDA), the T4 replisome is supplemented with a nicking endonuclease (Nb.BbvCI) and a reverse primer to generate a well-defined uniform double-stranded linear product and to achieve up to 1100-fold linear amplification of a plasmid in 1 h. (ii) The T4 replisome with its primase (gp61) can also support priming and exponential amplification of genomic DNA in primase-based whole-genome amplification (T4 pWGA). Low amplification biases between 4.8 and 9.8 among eight loci for 0.3–10 ng template DNA suggest that this method is indeed suitable for uniform whole-genome amplification. Finally, the utility of the T4 replisome for isothermal DNA amplification is demonstrated in various applications, including incorporation of functional tags for DNA labeling and immobilization; template generation for in vitro transcription/translation and sequencing; and colony screening and DNA quantification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Schaerli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Nelson SW, Benkovic SJ. Response of the bacteriophage T4 replisome to noncoding lesions and regression of a stalled replication fork. J Mol Biol 2010; 401:743-56. [PMID: 20600127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2010] [Revised: 06/13/2010] [Accepted: 06/15/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
DNA is constantly damaged by endogenous and exogenous agents. The resulting DNA lesions have the potential to halt the progression of the replisome, possibly leading to replication fork collapse. Here, we examine the effect of a noncoding DNA lesion in either leading strand template or lagging strand template on the bacteriophage T4 replisome. A damaged base in the lagging strand template does not affect the progression of the replication fork. Instead, the stalled lagging strand polymerase recycles from the lesion and initiates the synthesis of a new Okazaki fragment upstream of the damaged base. In contrast, when the replisome encounters a blocking lesion in the leading strand template, the replication fork only travels approximately 1 kb beyond the point of the DNA lesion before complete replication fork collapse. The primosome and the lagging strand polymerase remain active during this period, and an Okazaki fragment is synthesized beyond the point of the leading strand lesion. There is no evidence for a new priming event on the leading strand template. Instead, the DNA structure that is produced by the stalled replication fork is a substrate for the DNA repair helicase UvsW. UvsW catalyzes the regression of a stalled replication fork into a "chicken-foot" structure that has been postulated to be an intermediate in an error-free lesion bypass pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott W Nelson
- Department of Biochemistry, 4112 Molecular Biology Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mikheikin AL, Lin HK, Mehta P, Jen-Jacobson L, Trakselis MA. A trimeric DNA polymerase complex increases the native replication processivity. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 37:7194-205. [PMID: 19773426 PMCID: PMC2790891 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA polymerases are essential enzymes in all domains of life for both DNA replication and repair. The primary DNA replication polymerase from Sulfolobus solfataricus (SsoDpo1) has been shown previously to provide the necessary polymerization speed and exonuclease activity to replicate the genome accurately. We find that this polymerase is able to physically associate with itself to form a trimer and that this complex is stabilized in the presence of DNA. Analytical gel filtration and electrophoretic mobility shift assays establish that initially a single DNA polymerase binds to DNA followed by the cooperative binding of two additional molecules of the polymerase at higher concentrations of the enzyme. Protein chemical crosslinking experiments show that these are specific polymerase–polymerase interactions and not just separate binding events along DNA. Isothermal titration calorimetry and fluorescence anisotropy experiments corroborate these findings and show a stoichiometry where three polymerases are bound to a single DNA substrate. The trimeric polymerase complex significantly increases both the DNA synthesis rate and the processivity of SsoDpo1. Taken together, these results suggest the presence of a trimeric DNA polymerase complex that is able to synthesize long DNA strands more efficiently than the monomeric form.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrey L Mikheikin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Reconstitution of the B. subtilis Replisome with 13 Proteins Including Two Distinct Replicases. Mol Cell 2010; 37:273-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2009.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2009] [Revised: 08/03/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
13
|
Coordinating DNA replication by means of priming loop and differential synthesis rate. Nature 2009; 462:940-3. [PMID: 19924126 DOI: 10.1038/nature08611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2009] [Accepted: 10/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Genomic DNA is replicated by two DNA polymerase molecules, one of which works in close association with the helicase to copy the leading-strand template in a continuous manner while the second copies the already unwound lagging-strand template in a discontinuous manner through the synthesis of Okazaki fragments. Considering that the lagging-strand polymerase has to recycle after the completion of every Okazaki fragment through the slow steps of primer synthesis and hand-off to the polymerase, it is not understood how the two strands are synthesized with the same net rate. Here we show, using the T7 replication proteins, that RNA primers are made 'on the fly' during ongoing DNA synthesis and that the leading-strand T7 replisome does not pause during primer synthesis, contrary to previous reports. Instead, the leading-strand polymerase remains limited by the speed of the helicase; it therefore synthesizes DNA more slowly than the lagging-strand polymerase. We show that the primase-helicase T7 gp4 maintains contact with the priming sequence during ongoing DNA synthesis; the nascent lagging-strand template therefore organizes into a priming loop that keeps the primer in physical proximity to the replication complex. Our findings provide three synergistic mechanisms of coordination: first, primers are made concomitantly with DNA synthesis; second, the priming loop ensures efficient primer use and hand-off to the polymerase; and third, the lagging-strand polymerase copies DNA faster, which allows it to keep up with leading-strand DNA synthesis overall.
Collapse
|
14
|
Arumugam SR, Lee TH, Benkovic SJ. Investigation of stoichiometry of T4 bacteriophage helicase loader protein (gp59). J Biol Chem 2009; 284:29283-9. [PMID: 19700405 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.029926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The T4 bacteriophage helicase loader (gp59) is one of the main eight proteins that play an active role in the replisome. gp59 is a small protein (26 kDa) that exists as a monomer in solution and in the crystal. It binds preferentially to forked DNA and interacts directly with the T4 helicase (gp41), single-stranded DNA-binding protein (gp32), and polymerase (gp43). However, the stoichiometry and structure of the functional form are not very well understood. There is experimental evidence for a hexameric structure for the helicase (gp41) and the primase (gp61), inferring that the gp59 structure might also be hexameric. Various experimental approaches, including gel shift, fluorescence anisotropy, light scattering, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, have not provided a clearer understanding of the stoichiometry. In this study, we employed single-molecule photobleaching (smPB) experiments to elucidate the stoichiometry of gp59 on a forked DNA and to investigate its interaction with other proteins forming the primosome complex. smPB studies were performed with Alexa 555-labeled gp59 proteins and a forked DNA substrate. Co-localization experiments were performed using Cy5-labeled forked DNA and Alexa 555-labeled gp59 in the presence and absence of gp32 and gp41 proteins. A systematic study of smPB experiments and subsequent data analysis using a simple model indicated that gp59 on the forked DNA forms a hexamer. In addition, the presence of gp32 and gp41 proteins increases the stability of the gp59 complex, emphasizing their functional role in T4 DNA replication machinery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sri Ranjini Arumugam
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Spiering MM, Nelson SW, Benkovic SJ. Repetitive lagging strand DNA synthesis by the bacteriophage T4 replisome. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2008; 4:1070-4. [PMID: 18931782 DOI: 10.1039/b812163j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Our studies on the T4 replisome build on the seminal work from the Alberts laboratory. They discovered essentially all the proteins that constitute the T4 replisome, isolated them, and measured their enzymatic activities. Ultimately, in brilliant experiments they reconstituted in vitro a functioning replisome and in the absence of structural information created a mosaic as to how such a machine might be assembled. Their consideration of the problem of continuous leading strand synthesis opposing discontinuous lagging strand synthesis led to their imaginative proposal of the trombone model, an illustration that graces all textbooks of biochemistry. Our subsequent work deepens their findings through experiments that focus on defining the kinetics, structural elements, and protein-protein contacts essential for replisome assembly and function. In this highlight we address when Okazaki primer synthesis is initiated and how the primer is captured by a recycling lagging strand polymerase--problems that the Alberts laboratory likewise found mysterious and significant for all replisomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Spiering
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nelson SW, Kumar R, Benkovic SJ. RNA primer handoff in bacteriophage T4 DNA replication: the role of single-stranded DNA-binding protein and polymerase accessory proteins. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:22838-46. [PMID: 18511422 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m802762200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In T4 phage, coordinated leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis is carried out by an eight-protein complex termed the replisome. The control of lagging strand DNA synthesis depends on a highly dynamic replisome with several proteins entering and leaving during DNA replication. Here we examine the role of single-stranded binding protein (gp32) in the repetitive cycles of lagging strand synthesis. Removal of the protein-interacting domain of gp32 results in a reduction in the number of primers synthesized and in the efficiency of primer transfer to the polymerase. We find that the primase protein is moderately processive, and this processivity depends on the presence of full-length gp32 at the replication fork. Surprisingly, we find that an increase in the efficiency of primer transfer to the clamp protein correlates with a decrease in the dissociation rate of the primase from the replisome. These findings result in a revised model of lagging strand DNA synthesis where the primase remains as part of the replisome after each successful cycle of Okazaki fragment synthesis. A delay in primer transfer results in an increased probability of the primase dissociating from the replication fork. The interplay between gp32, primase, clamp, and clamp loader dictates the rate and efficiency of primer synthesis, polymerase recycling, and primer transfer to the polymerase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott W Nelson
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yang Z, Vilkaitis G, Yu B, Klimasauskas S, Chen X. Approaches for studying microRNA and small interfering RNA methylation in vitro and in vivo. Methods Enzymol 2007; 427:139-54. [PMID: 17720483 PMCID: PMC3574582 DOI: 10.1016/s0076-6879(07)27008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The biogenesis of microRNAs (miRNAs) in plants is similar to that in animals, however, the processing of plant miRNAs consists of an additional step, the methylation of the miRNAs on the 3' terminal nucleotides. The enzyme that methylates Arabidopsis miRNAs is encoded by a gene named HEN1, which has been shown genetically to be required for miRNA biogenesis in vivo. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are also methylated in vivo in a HEN1-dependent manner. Our biochemical studies demonstrated that HEN1 is a methyltransferase acting on both miRNAs and siRNAs in vitro. HEN1 recognizes 21 to 24 nt small RNA duplexes, which are the products of Dicer-like enzymes, and transfers a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the 2' OH of the last nucleotides of the small RNA duplexes. Here we describe methods to characterize the biochemical activities of the HEN1 protein both in vitro and in vivo, and methods to analyze the methylation status of small RNAs in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Yang
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences and Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nelson SW, Benkovic SJ. The T4 phage UvsW protein contains both DNA unwinding and strand annealing activities. J Biol Chem 2006; 282:407-16. [PMID: 17092935 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m608153200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
UvsW protein belongs to the SF2 helicase family and is one of three helicases found in T4 phage. UvsW governs the transition from origin-dependent to origin-independent replication through the dissociation of R-loops located at the T4 origins of replication. Additionally, in vivo evidence indicates that UvsW plays a role in recombination-dependent replication and/or DNA repair. Here, the biochemical properties of UvsW helicase are described. UvsW is a 3' to 5' helicase that unwinds a wide variety of substrates, including those resembling stalled replication forks and recombination intermediates. UvsW also contains a potent single-strand DNA annealing activity that is enhanced by ATP hydrolysis but does not require it. The annealing activity is inhibited by the non-hydrolysable ATP analog (adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate)), T4 single-stranded DNA-binding protein (gp32), or a small 8.8-kDa polypeptide (UvsW.1). Fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments indicate that UvsW and UvsW.1 form a complex, suggesting that the UvsW helicase may exist as a heterodimer in vivo. Fusion of UvsW and UvsW.1 results in a 68-kDa protein having nearly identical properties as the UvsW-UvsW.1 complex, indicating that the binding locus of UvsW.1 is close to the C terminus of UvsW. The biochemical properties of UvsW are similar to the RecQ protein family and suggest that the annealing activity of these helicases may also be modulated by protein-protein interactions. The dual activities of UvsW are well suited for the DNA repair pathways described for leading strand lesion bypass and synthesis-dependent strand annealing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott W Nelson
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang J, Nelson SW, Benkovic SJ. The Control Mechanism for Lagging Strand Polymerase Recycling during Bacteriophage T4 DNA Replication. Mol Cell 2006; 21:153-64. [PMID: 16427006 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2005.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2005] [Revised: 10/27/2005] [Accepted: 11/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Given the polarity of DNA duplex, replication by the leading strand polymerase is continuous whereas that by the lagging strand polymerase is discontinuous proceeding through Okazaki fragments. Yet the respective polymerases act processively, implying that the recycling of the lagging strand polymerase is a controlled process. We demonstrate that the rate of the lagging strand polymerase relative to that of fork movement affects Okazaki fragment size and generates ssDNA gaps. We show by using a substrate with limited priming sites that Okazaki fragments can be shifted to shorter lengths by varying the rate of the primase. We find that clamp and clamp loader levels affect both primer utilization and Okazaki fragment size, possibly implicating clamp loading onto the RNA primer in the mechanism of lagging strand polymerase recycling. We formulate a signaling model capable of rationalizing the distribution of Okazaki fragments under various conditions for this and possibly other replisomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingsong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, 414 Wartik Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yang J, Xi J, Zhuang Z, Benkovic SJ. The oligomeric T4 primase is the functional form during replication. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:25416-23. [PMID: 15897200 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m501847200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Replisome DNA primases are responsible for the synthesis of short RNA primers required for the initiation of repetitive Okazaki fragment synthesis on the lagging strand during DNA replication. In bacteriophage T4, the primase (gp61) interacts with the helicase (gp41) to form the primosome complex, an interaction that greatly stimulates the priming activity of gp61. Because gp41 is hexameric, a question arises as to whether gp61 also forms a hexameric structure during replication. Several results from this study support such a structure. Titration of the primase/single-stranded DNA binding followed by fluorescence anisotropy implicated a 6:1 stoichiometry. The observed rate constant, k(cat), for priming was found to increase with the primase concentration, implicating an oligomeric form of the primase as the major functional species. The generation of hetero-oligomeric populations of the hexameric primase by controlled mixing of wild type and an inactive mutant primase confirmed the oligomeric nature of the most active primase form. Mutant primases defective in either the N- or C-terminal domains and catalytically inactive could be mixed to create oligomeric primases with restored catalytic activity suggesting an active site shared between subunits. Collectively, these results provide strong evidence for the functional oligomerization of gp61. The potential roles of gp61 oligomerization during lagging strand synthesis are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingsong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Dudas KC, Kreuzer KN. Bacteriophage T4 helicase loader protein gp59 functions as gatekeeper in origin-dependent replication in vivo. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:21561-9. [PMID: 15781450 PMCID: PMC1361368 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m502351200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage T4 initiates origin-dependent replication via an R-loop mechanism in vivo. During in vitro reactions, the phage-encoded gp59 stimulates loading of the replicative helicase, gp41, onto branched intermediates, including origin R-loops. However, although gp59 is essential for recombination-dependent replication from D-loops, it does not appear to be required for origin-dependent replication in vivo. In this study, we have analyzed the origin-replicative intermediates formed during infections that are deficient in gp59 and other phage replication proteins. During infections lacking gp59, the initial replication forks from two different T4 origins actively replicated both leading- and lagging-strands. However, the retrograde replication forks from both origins were abnormal in the gp59-deficient infections. The lagging-strand from the initial fork was elongated as a new leading-strand in the retrograde direction without lagging-strand synthesis, whereas in the wild-type, leading- and lagging-strand synthesis appeared to be coupled. These results imply that gp59 inhibits the polymerase holoenzyme in vivo until the helicase-primase (gp41-gp61) complex is loaded, and we thereby refer to gp59 as a gatekeeper. We also found that all origin-replicative intermediates were absent in infections deficient in the helicase gp41 or the single-strand-binding protein gp32, regardless of whether gp59 was present or absent. These results argue that replication from the origin in vivo is dependent on both the helicase and single-strand-binding protein and demonstrate that the strong replication defect of gene 41 and 32 single mutants is not caused by gp59 inhibition of the polymerase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen C Dudas
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yang J, Zhuang Z, Roccasecca RM, Trakselis MA, Benkovic SJ. The dynamic processivity of the T4 DNA polymerase during replication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:8289-94. [PMID: 15148377 PMCID: PMC420387 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0402625101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The polymerase (gp43) processivity during T4 replisome mediated DNA replication has been investigated. The size of the Okazaki fragments remains constant over a wide range of polymerase concentrations. A dissociation rate constant of approximately 0.0013 sec(-1) was measured for the polymerases from both strands, consistent with highly processive replication on both the leading and lagging strands. This processive replication, however, can be disrupted by a catalytically inactive mutant D408N gp43 that retains normal affinity for DNA and the clamp. The inhibition kinetics fit well to an active exchange model in which the mutant polymerase (the polymerase trap) displaces the replicating polymerase. This kinetic model was further strengthened by the observation that the sizes of both the Okazaki fragments and the extension products on a primed M13mp18 template were reduced in the presence of the mutant polymerase. The effects of the trap polymerase therefore suggest a dynamic processivity of the polymerase during replication, namely, a solution/replisome polymerase exchange takes place without affecting continued DNA synthesis. This process mimics the polymerase switching recently suggested during the translesion DNA synthesis, implies the multiple functions of the clamp in replication, and may play a potential role in overcoming the replication barriers by the T4 replisome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingsong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, 414 Wartik Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Tanguy Le Gac N, Delagoutte E, Germain M, Villani G. Inactivation of the 3'-5' exonuclease of the replicative T4 DNA polymerase allows translesion DNA synthesis at an abasic site. J Mol Biol 2004; 336:1023-34. [PMID: 15037066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2004.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2003] [Revised: 12/22/2003] [Accepted: 01/05/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Here, we have investigated the consequences of the loss of proof-reading exonuclease function on the ability of the replicative T4 DNA polymerase (gp43) to elongate past a single abasic site located on model DNA substrates. Our results show that wild-type T4 DNA polymerase stopped at the base preceding the lesion on two linear substrates having different sequences, whereas the gp43 D219A exonuclease-deficient mutant was capable of efficient bypass when replicating the same substrates. The structure of the DNA template did not influence the behavior of the exonuclease-proficient or deficient T4 DNA polymerases. In fact, when replicating a damaged "minicircle" DNA substrate constructed by circularizing one of the linear DNA, elongation by wild-type enzyme was still completely blocked by the abasic site, while the D219A mutant was capable of bypass. During DNA replication, the T4 DNA polymerase associates with accessory factors whose combined action increases the polymerase-binding capacity and processivity, and could modulate the behavior of the enzyme towards an abasic site. We thus performed experiments measuring the ability of wild-type and exonuclease-deficient T4 DNA polymerases, in conjunction with these replicative accessory proteins, to perform translesion DNA replication on linear or circular damaged DNA substrates. We found no evidence of either stimulation or inhibition of the bypass activities of the wild-type and exonuclease-deficient forms of T4 DNA polymerase following addition of the accessory factors, indicating that the presence or absence of the proof-reading activity is the major determinant in dictating translesion synthesis of an abasic site by T4 DNA polymerase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Tanguy Le Gac
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, CNRS-UMR 5089, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse cedex 4, France
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Jones CE, Mueser TC, Nossal NG. Bacteriophage T4 32 protein is required for helicase-dependent leading strand synthesis when the helicase is loaded by the T4 59 helicase-loading protein. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:12067-75. [PMID: 14729909 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m313840200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In the bacteriophage T4 DNA replication system, T4 gene 59 protein binds preferentially to fork DNA and accelerates the loading of the T4 41 helicase. 59 protein also binds the T4 32 single-stranded DNA-binding protein that coats the lagging strand template. Here we explore the function of the strong affinity between the 32 and 59 proteins at the replication fork. We show that, in contrast to the 59 helicase loader, 32 protein does not bind forked DNA more tightly than linear DNA. 32 protein displays a strong binding polarity on fork DNA, binding with much higher affinity to the 5' single-stranded lagging strand template arm of a model fork, than to the 3' single-stranded leading strand arm. 59 protein promotes the binding of 32 protein on forks too short for cooperative binding by 32 protein. We show that 32 protein is required for helicase-dependent leading strand DNA synthesis when the helicase is loaded by 59 protein. However, 32 protein is not required for leading strand synthesis when helicase is loaded, less efficiently, without 59 protein. Leading strand synthesis by wild type T4 polymerase is strongly inhibited when 59 protein is present without 32 protein. Because 59 protein can load the helicase on forks without 32 protein, our results are best explained by a model in which 59 helicase loader at the fork prevents the coupling of the leading strand polymerase and the helicase, unless the position of 59 protein is shifted by its association with 32 protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Jones
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Building 8, Room 2A19, Bethesda, MD 20892-0830, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Trakselis MA, Roccasecca RM, Yang J, Valentine AM, Benkovic SJ. Dissociative Properties of the Proteins within the Bacteriophage T4 Replisome. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:49839-49. [PMID: 14500719 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m307405200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA replication is a highly processive and efficient process that involves the coordination of at least eight proteins to form the replisome in bacteriophage T4. Replication of DNA occurs in the 5' to 3' direction resulting in continuous replication on the leading strand and discontinuous replication on the lagging strand. A key question is how a continuous and discontinuous replication process is coordinated. One solution is to avoid having the completion of one Okazaki fragment to signal the start of the next but instead to have a key step such as priming proceed in parallel to lagging strand replication. Such a mechanism requires protein elements of the replisome to readily dissociate during the replication process. Protein trapping experiments were performed to test for dissociation of the clamp loader and primase from an active replisome in vitro whose template was both a small synthetic DNA minicircle and a larger DNA substrate. The primase, clamp, and clamp loader are found to dissociate from the replisome and are continuously recruited from solution. The effect of varying protein concentrations (dilution) on the size of Okazaki fragments supported the protein trapping results. These findings are in accord with previous results for the accessory proteins but, importantly now, identify the primase as dissociating from an active replisome. The recruitment of the primase from solution during DNA synthesis has also been found for Escherichia coli but not bacteriophage T7. The implications of these results for RNA priming and extension during the repetitive synthesis of Okazaki fragments are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Trakselis
- Department of Chemistry, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|