1
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Woodcock CB, Horton JR, Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Beta class amino methyltransferases from bacteria to humans: evolution and structural consequences. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:10034-10044. [PMID: 32453412 PMCID: PMC7544214 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
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).
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton B Woodcock
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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2
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Ma B, Ma J, Liu D, Guo L, Chen H, Ding J, Liu W, Zhang H. Biochemical and structural characterization of a DNA N6-adenine methyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori. Oncotarget 2018; 7:40965-40977. [PMID: 27259995 PMCID: PMC5173035 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA N6-methyladenine modification plays an important role in regulating a variety of biological functions in bacteria. However, the mechanism of sequence-specific recognition in N6-methyladenine modification remains elusive. M1.HpyAVI, a DNA N6-adenine methyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori, shows more promiscuous substrate specificity than other enzymes. Here, we present the crystal structures of cofactor-free and AdoMet-bound structures of this enzyme, which were determined at resolutions of 3.0 Å and 3.1 Å, respectively. The core structure of M1.HpyAVI resembles the canonical AdoMet-dependent MTase fold, while the putative DNA binding regions considerably differ from those of the other MTases, which may account for the substrate promiscuity of this enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments identified residues D29 and E216 as crucial amino acids for cofactor binding and the methyl transfer activity of the enzyme, while P41, located in a highly flexible loop, playing a determinant role for substrate specificity. Taken together, our data revealed the structural basis underlying DNA N6-adenine methyltransferase substrate promiscuity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Institute of Immunology, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Guo
- Institute of Immunology, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huiling Chen
- Institute of Immunology, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingjin Ding
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute of Immunology, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongquan Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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3
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Urulangodi M, Dhanaraju R, Gupta K, Roy RP, Bujnicki JM, Rao DN. Asymmetric DNA methylation by dimeric EcoP15I DNA methyltransferase. Biochimie 2016; 128-129:70-82. [PMID: 27422119 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
EcoP15I DNA methyltransferase (M.EcoP15I) recognizes short asymmetric sequence, 5'-CAGCAG-3', and methylates the second adenine only on one strand of the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). In vivo, this methylation is sufficient to protect the host DNA from cleavage by the cognate restriction endonuclease, R.EcoP15I, because of the stringent cleavage specificity requirements. Biochemical and structural characterization support the notion that purified M.EcoP15I exists and functions as dimer. However, the exact role of dimerization in M.EcoP15I reaction mechanism remains elusive. Here we engineered M.EcoP15I to a stable monomeric form and studied the role of dimerization in enzyme catalyzed methylation reaction. While the monomeric form binds single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) containing the recognition sequence it is unable to methylate it. Further we show that, while the monomeric form has AdoMet binding and Mg(2+) binding motifs intact, optimal dsDNA binding required for methylation is dependent on dimerization. Together, our biochemical data supports a unique subunit organization for M.EcoP15I to catalyze the methylation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajkumar Dhanaraju
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Kanchan Gupta
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Rajendra P Roy
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Janusz M Bujnicki
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, PL-02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Desirazu N Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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4
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Gupta YK, Chan SH, Xu SY, Aggarwal AK. Structural basis of asymmetric DNA methylation and ATP-triggered long-range diffusion by EcoP15I. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7363. [PMID: 26067164 PMCID: PMC4490356 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Type III R–M enzymes were identified >40 years ago and yet there is no structural information on these multisubunit enzymes. Here we report the structure of a Type III R–M system, consisting of the entire EcoP15I complex (Mod2Res1) bound to DNA. The structure suggests how ATP hydrolysis is coupled to long-range diffusion of a helicase on DNA, and how a dimeric methyltransferase functions to methylate only one of the two DNA strands. We show that the EcoP15I motor domains are specifically adapted to bind double-stranded DNA and to facilitate DNA sliding via a novel ‘Pin' domain. We also uncover unexpected ‘division of labour', where one Mod subunit recognizes DNA, while the other Mod subunit methylates the target adenine—a mechanism that may extend to adenine N6 RNA methylation in mammalian cells. Together the structure sheds new light on the mechanisms of both helicases and methyltransferases in DNA and RNA metabolism. Type III restriction–modification enzymes consists of two methylation and one or two restriction subunits. Here the authors report the structure of the full EcoP15I complex bound to DNA, which suggests mechanisms for ATP hydrolysis dependent diffusion along DNA and how a dimeric methyltransferase modifies only one DNA strand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh K Gupta
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1677, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Siu-Hong Chan
- New England Biolabs Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938, USA
| | - Shuang-Yong Xu
- New England Biolabs Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938, USA
| | - Aneel K Aggarwal
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1677, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
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5
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Konarev PV, Kachalova GS, Ryazanova AY, Kubareva EA, Karyagina AS, Bartunik HD, Svergun DI. Flexibility of the linker between the domains of DNA methyltransferase SsoII revealed by small-angle X-ray scattering: implications for transcription regulation in SsoII restriction-modification system. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93453. [PMID: 24710319 PMCID: PMC3978073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
(Cytosine-5)-DNA methyltransferase SsoII (M.SsoII) consists of a methyltransferase domain (residues 72-379) and an N-terminal region (residues 1-71) which regulates transcription in SsoII restriction-modification system. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is employed here to study the low resolution structure of M.SsoII and its complex with DNA containing the methylation site. The shapes reconstructed ab initio from the SAXS data reveal two distinct protein domains of unequal size. The larger domain matches the crystallographic structure of a homologous DNA methyltransferase HhaI (M.HhaI), and the cleft in this domain is occupied by DNA in the model of the complex reconstructed from the SAXS data. This larger domain can thus be identified as the methyltransferase domain whereas the other domain represents the N-terminal region. Homology modeling of the M.SsoII structure is performed by using the model of M.HhaI for the methyltransferase domain and representing the N-terminal region either as a flexible chain of dummy residues or as a rigid structure of a homologous protein (phage 434 repressor) connected to the methyltransferase domain by a short flexible linker. Both models are compatible with the SAXS data and demonstrate high mobility of the N-terminal region. The linker flexibility might play an important role in the function of M.SsoII as a transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr V. Konarev
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Outstation, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Alexandra Yu Ryazanova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena A. Kubareva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna S. Karyagina
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Hans D. Bartunik
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitri I. Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Outstation, Hamburg, Germany
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6
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Butterer A, Pernstich C, Smith RM, Sobott F, Szczelkun MD, Tóth J. Type III restriction endonucleases are heterotrimeric: comprising one helicase-nuclease subunit and a dimeric methyltransferase that binds only one specific DNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:5139-50. [PMID: 24510100 PMCID: PMC4005696 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fundamental aspects of the biochemistry of Type III restriction endonucleases remain unresolved despite being characterized by numerous research groups in the past decades. One such feature is the subunit stoichiometry of these hetero-oligomeric enzyme complexes, which has important implications for the reaction mechanism. In this study, we present a series of results obtained by native mass spectrometry and size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering consistent with a 1:2 ratio of Res to Mod subunits in the EcoP15I, EcoPI and PstII complexes as the main holoenzyme species and a 1:1 stoichiometry of specific DNA (sDNA) binding by EcoP15I and EcoPI. Our data are also consistent with a model where ATP hydrolysis activated by recognition site binding leads to release of the enzyme from the site, dissociation from the substrate via a free DNA end and cleavage of the DNA. These results are discussed critically in the light of the published literature, aiming to resolve controversies and discuss consequences in terms of the reaction mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Butterer
- Biomolecular & Analytical Mass Spectrometry and Center for Proteomics (CFP-CeProMa), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2020, Belgium and DNA-Protein Interactions Unit, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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7
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Smith RM, Jacklin AJ, Marshall JJT, Sobott F, Halford SE. Organization of the BcgI restriction-modification protein for the transfer of one methyl group to DNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 41:405-17. [PMID: 23147004 PMCID: PMC3592466 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks1000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Smith
- The DNA-protein Interactions Unit, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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8
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Malygin EG, Hattman S. DNA methyltransferases: mechanistic models derived from kinetic analysis. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 47:97-193. [PMID: 22260147 DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2011.620942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst G Malygin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, Novosibirsk, Russia
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9
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Banerjee A, Rao DN. Functional analysis of an acid adaptive DNA adenine methyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori 26695. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16810. [PMID: 21347417 PMCID: PMC3036652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Accepted: 01/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Banerjee
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Desirazu N. Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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10
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Madhusoodanan UK, Rao DN. Diversity of DNA methyltransferases that recognize asymmetric target sequences. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2010; 45:125-45. [PMID: 20184512 DOI: 10.3109/10409231003628007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
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.
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11
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Malygin EG, Evdokimov AA, Hattman S. Dimeric/oligomeric DNA methyltransferases: an unfinished story. Biol Chem 2009; 390:835-44. [PMID: 19453271 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2009.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst G Malygin
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, Novosibirsk, Russia
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12
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Coffin SR, Reich NO. Escherichia coli DNA adenine methyltransferase: intrasite processivity and substrate-induced dimerization and activation. Biochemistry 2009; 48:7399-410. [PMID: 19580332 DOI: 10.1021/bi9008006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie R Coffin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, USA
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13
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Furmanek-Blaszk B, Boratynski R, Zolcinska N, Sektas M. M1.MboII and M2.MboII type IIS methyltransferases: different specificities, the same target. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2009; 155:1111-1121. [PMID: 19332813 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.025023-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Methylation of a base in a specific DNA sequence protects the DNA from nucleolytic cleavage by restriction enzymes recognizing the same sequence. The MboII restriction-modification (R-M) system of Moraxella bovis ATCC 10900 consists of a restriction endonuclease gene and two methyltransferase genes. The enzymes encoded by this system recognize an asymmetrical sequence 5'-GAAGA-3'/3'-CTTCT-5'. M1.MboII modifies the last adenine in the recognition sequence 5'-GAAGA-3' to N(6)-methyladenine. A second methylase, M2.MboII, was cloned and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity using a four-step chromatographic procedure. It was demonstrated that M2.MboII modifies the internal cytosine in the recognition sequence 3'-CTTCT-5', yielding N(4)-methylcytosine, and moreover is able to methylate single-stranded DNA. The protein exists in solution as a monomer of molecular mass 30 000+/-1000 Da under denaturing conditions. Divalent cations (Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+) and Zn(2+)) inhibit M2.MboII methylation activity. It was found that the isomethylomer M2.NcuI from Neisseria cuniculi ATCC 14688 behaves in the same manner. Functional analysis showed that the complete MboII R-M system, consisting of two methyltransferases genes and the mboIIR gene, is the most stable and the least harmful to bacterial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Boratynski
- Department of Microbiology, University of Gdansk, 80-822 Gdansk, Kladki 24, Poland
| | - Natalia Zolcinska
- Department of Microbiology, University of Gdansk, 80-822 Gdansk, Kladki 24, Poland
| | - Marian Sektas
- Department of Microbiology, University of Gdansk, 80-822 Gdansk, Kladki 24, Poland
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14
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Morita R, Ishikawa H, Nakagawa N, Kuramitsu S, Masui R. Crystal structure of a putative DNA methylase TTHA0409 from Thermus thermophilus HB8. Proteins 2008; 73:259-64. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.22158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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15
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Bheemanaik S, Reddy Y, Rao D. Structure, function and mechanism of exocyclic DNA methyltransferases. Biochem J 2006; 399:177-90. [PMID: 16987108 PMCID: PMC1609917 DOI: 10.1042/bj20060854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yeturu V. R. Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
| | - Desirazu N. Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
- To whom correspondence should be addressed (email )
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