The putative RNase P motif in the DEAD box helicase Hera is dispensable for efficient interaction with RNA and helicase activity

The Human RNA Helicase DDX21 Presents a Dimerization Interface Necessary for Helicase Activity

Members of the DEAD-box helicase family are involved in all fundamental processes of RNA metabolism, and as such, their malfunction is associated with various diseases. Currently, whether and how oligomerization impacts their biochemical and biological functions is not well understood. In this work, we show that DDX21, a human DEAD-box helicase with RNA G-quadruplex resolving activity, is dimeric and that its oligomerization state influences its helicase activity. Solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis uncovers a flexible multi-domain protein with a central dimerization domain. While the Arg/Gly rich C termini, rather than dimerization, are key to maintaining high affinity for RNA substrates, in vitro helicase assays indicate that an intact dimer is essential for both DDX21 ATP-dependent double-stranded RNA unwinding and ATP-independent G-quadruplex remodeling activities. Our results suggest that oligomerization plays a key role in regulating RNA DEAD-box helicase activity.

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The human RNA DEAD-box helicase DDX21 is dimeric

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DDX21 dimerization is mediated by a hydrophobic central core domain

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SAXS-based modeling reveals that DDX21 is intrinsically flexible

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Dimerization and C-terminal domains mediate G-quadruplex and dsRNA unwinding

The Thermus thermophilus DEAD-box protein Hera is a general RNA binding protein and plays a key role in tRNA metabolism

RNA helicases catalyze the ATP-dependent destabilization of RNA duplexes. DEAD-box helicases share a helicase core that mediates ATP binding and hydrolysis, RNA binding and unwinding. Most members of this family contain domains flanking the core that can confer RNA substrate specificity and guide the helicase to a specific RNA. However, the in vivo RNA substrates of most helicases are currently not defined. The DEAD-box helicase Hera from Thermus thermophilus contains a helicase core, followed by a dimerization domain and an RNA binding domain that folds into an RNA recognition motif (RRM). The RRM mediates high affinity binding to an RNA hairpin, and an adjacent duplex is then unwound by the helicase core. Hera is a cold-shock protein, and has been suggested to act as an RNA chaperone under cold-shock conditions. Using crosslinking immunoprecipitation of Hera/RNA complexes and sequencing, we show that Hera binds to a large fraction of T. thermophilus RNAs under normal-growth and cold-shock conditions without a strong sequence preference, in agreement with a structure-specific recognition of RNAs and a general function in RNA metabolism. Under cold-shock conditions, Hera is recruited to RNAs with high propensities to form stable secondary structures. We show that selected RNAs identified, including a set of tRNAs, bind to Hera in vitro, and activate the Hera helicase core. Gene ontology analysis reveals an enrichment of genes related to translation, including mRNAs of ribosomal proteins, tRNAs, tRNA ligases, and tRNA-modifying enzymes, consistent with a key role of Hera in ribosome and tRNA metabolism.

The DEAD-Box RNA Helicases of Bacillus subtilis as a Model to Evaluate Genetic Compensation Among Duplicate Genes

The presence of duplicated genes in organisms is well documented. There is increasing interest in understanding how these genes subfunctionalize and whether functional overlap can explain the fact that some of these genes are dispensable. Bacillus subtilis possesses four DEAD-box RNA helicases (DBRH) genes, cshA, cshB, deaD/yxiN, and yfmL that make a good case to study to what extent they can complement each other despite their subfunctionalization. They possess the highly conserved N-terminal catalytic domain core common to RNA helicases, but different carboxy-terminal ends. All four genes have been shown to have independent functions although all participate in rRNA assembly. None of the B. subtilis DBRH is essential for growth at 37°C, and all single deletion mutants exhibit defective growth at 18°C except for ΔdeaD/yxiN. Evaluation of double mutants did not reveal negative epistasis, suggesting that they do not have overlapping functions. The absence of any one gene distorts the expression pattern of the others, but not in a specific pattern suggestive of compensation. Overexpression of these paralogous genes in the different mutant backgrounds did not result in cross-complementation, further confirming their lack of buffering capability. Since no complementation could be observed among full sized proteins, we evaluated to what extent the superfamily 2 (SF2) helicase core of the smallest DBRH, YfmL, could be functional when hooked to each of the C-terminal end of CshA, CshB, and DeaD/YxiN. None of the different chimeras complemented the different mutants, and instead, all chimeras inhibited the growth of the ΔyfmL mutant, and other combinations were also deleterious. Our findings suggest that the long time divergence between DEAD-box RNA helicase genes has resulted in specialized activities in RNA metabolism and shows that these duplicated genes cannot buffer one another.

Life under the Microscope: Single-Molecule Fluorescence Highlights the RNA World

The emergence of single-molecule (SM) fluorescence techniques has opened up a vast new toolbox for exploring the molecular basis of life. The ability to monitor individual biomolecules in real time enables complex, dynamic folding pathways to be interrogated without the averaging effect of ensemble measurements. In parallel, modern biology has been revolutionized by our emerging understanding of the many functions of RNA. In this comprehensive review, we survey SM fluorescence approaches and discuss how the application of these tools to RNA and RNA-containing macromolecular complexes in vitro has yielded significant insights into the underlying biology. Topics covered include the three-dimensional folding landscapes of a plethora of isolated RNA molecules, their assembly and interactions in RNA-protein complexes, and the relation of these properties to their biological functions. In all of these examples, the use of SM fluorescence methods has revealed critical information beyond the reach of ensemble averages.

Unravelling the Mechanisms of RNA Helicase Regulation

RNA helicases are critical regulators at the nexus of multiple pathways of RNA metabolism, and in the complex cellular environment, tight spatial and temporal regulation of their activity is essential. Dedicated protein cofactors play key roles in recruiting helicases to specific substrates and modulating their catalytic activity. Alongside individual RNA helicase cofactors, networks of cofactors containing evolutionarily conserved domains such as the G-patch and MIF4G domains highlight the potential for cross-regulation of different aspects of gene expression. Structural analyses of RNA helicase-cofactor complexes now provide insight into the diverse mechanisms by which cofactors can elicit specific and coordinated regulation of RNA helicase action. Furthermore, post-translational modifications (PTMs) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) regulators have recently emerged as novel modes of RNA helicase regulation.

Insights into the Structure of Dimeric RNA Helicase CsdA and Indispensable Role of Its C-Terminal Regions

CsdA has been proposed to be essential for the biogenesis of ribosome and gene regulation after cold shock. However, the structure of CsdA and the function of its long C-terminal regions are still unclear. Here, we solved all of the domain structures of CsdA and found two previously uncharacterized auxiliary domains: a dimerization domain (DD) and an RNA-binding domain (RBD). Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments helped to track the conformational flexibilities of the helicase core domains and C-terminal regions. Biochemical assays revealed that DD is indispensable for stabilizing the CsdA dimeric structure. We also demonstrate for the first time that CsdA functions as a stable dimer at low temperature. The C-terminal regions are critical for RNA binding and efficient enzymatic activities. CsdA_RBD could specifically bind to the regions with a preference for single-stranded G-rich RNA, which may help to bring the helicase core to unwind the adjacent duplex.

Structural Insights into a Unique Dimeric DEAD-Box Helicase CshA that Promotes RNA Decay

CshA is a dimeric DEAD-box helicase that cooperates with ribonucleases for mRNA turnover. The molecular mechanism for how a dimeric DEAD-box helicase aids in RNA decay remains unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure and small-angle X-ray scattering solution structure of the CshA from Geobacillus stearothermophilus. In contrast to typical monomeric DEAD-box helicases, CshA is exclusively a dimeric protein with the RecA-like domains of each protomer forming a V-shaped structure. We show that the C-terminal domains protruding outward from the tip of the V-shaped structure is critical for mediating strong RNA binding and is crucial for efficient RNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis. We also show that RNA remains bound with CshA during ATP hydrolysis cycles and thus bulk RNAs could be unwound and degraded in a processive manner through cooperation between exoribonucleases and CshA. A dimeric helicase is hence preserved in RNA-degrading machinery for efficient RNA turnover in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Single-Molecule Confocal FRET Microscopy to Dissect Conformational Changes in the Catalytic Cycle of DNA Topoisomerases

Molecular machines undergo large-scale conformational changes during their catalytic cycles that are linked to their biological functions. DNA topoisomerases are molecular machines that interconvert different DNA topoisomers and resolve torsional stress that is introduced during cellular processes that involve local DNA unwinding. DNA gyrase catalyzes the introduction of negative supercoils into DNA in an ATP-dependent reaction. During its catalytic cycle, gyrase undergoes large-scale conformational changes that drive the supercoiling reaction. These conformational changes can be followed by single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Here, we use DNA gyrase from Bacillus subtilis as an illustrative example to present strategies for the investigation of conformational dynamics of multisubunit complexes. We provide a brief introduction into single-molecule FRET and confocal microscopy, with a focus on practical considerations in sample preparation and data analysis. Different strategies in the preparation of donor-acceptor-labeled molecules suitable for single-molecule FRET experiments are outlined. The insight into the mechanism of DNA supercoiling by gyrase gained from single-molecule FRET experiment is summarized. The general strategies described here can also be applied to investigate conformational changes and their link to biological function of other multisubunit molecular machines.

When core competence is not enough: functional interplay of the DEAD-box helicase core with ancillary domains and auxiliary factors in RNA binding and unwinding

DEAD-box helicases catalyze RNA duplex unwinding in an ATP-dependent reaction. Members of the DEAD-box helicase family consist of a common helicase core formed by two RecA-like domains. According to the current mechanistic model for DEAD-box mediated RNA unwinding, binding of RNA and ATP triggers a conformational change of the helicase core, and leads to formation of a compact, closed state. In the closed conformation, the two parts of the active site for ATP hydrolysis and of the RNA binding site, residing on the two RecA domains, become aligned. Closing of the helicase core is coupled to a deformation of the RNA backbone and destabilization of the RNA duplex, allowing for dissociation of one of the strands. The second strand remains bound to the helicase core until ATP hydrolysis and product release lead to re-opening of the core. The concomitant disruption of the RNA binding site causes dissociation of the second strand. The activity of the helicase core can be modulated by interaction partners, and by flanking N- and C-terminal domains. A number of C-terminal flanking regions have been implicated in RNA binding: RNA recognition motifs (RRM) typically mediate sequence-specific RNA binding, whereas positively charged, unstructured regions provide binding sites for structured RNA, without sequence-specificity. Interaction partners modulate RNA binding to the core, or bind to RNA regions emanating from the core. The functional interplay of the helicase core and ancillary domains or interaction partners in RNA binding and unwinding is not entirely understood. This review summarizes our current knowledge on RNA binding to the DEAD-box helicase core and the roles of ancillary domains and interaction partners in RNA binding and unwinding by DEAD-box proteins.

Bacterial versatility requires DEAD-box RNA helicases

RNA helicases of the DEAD-box and DEAH-box families are important players in many processes involving RNA molecules. These proteins can modify RNA secondary structures or intermolecular RNA interactions and modulate RNA-protein complexes. In bacteria, they are known to be involved in ribosome biogenesis, RNA turnover and translation initiation. They thereby play an important role in the adaptation of bacteria to changing environments and to respond to stress conditions.

Synergistic effects of ATP and RNA binding to human DEAD-box protein DDX1

RNA helicases of the DEAD-box protein family form the largest group of helicases. The human DEAD-box protein 1 (DDX1) plays an important role in tRNA and mRNA processing, is involved in tumor progression and is also hijacked by several virus families such as HIV-1 for replication and nuclear export. Although important in many cellular processes, the mechanism of DDX1′s enzymatic function is unknown. We have performed equilibrium titrations and transient kinetics to determine affinities for nucleotides and RNA. We find an exceptional tight binding of DDX1 to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), one of the strongest affinities observed for DEAD-box helicases. ADP binds tighter by three orders of magnitude when compared to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), arresting the enzyme in a potential dead-end ADP conformation under physiological conditions. We thus suggest that a nucleotide exchange factor leads to DDX1 recycling. Furthermore, we find a strong cooperativity in binding of RNA and ATP to DDX1 that is also reflected in ATP hydrolysis. We present a model in which either ATP or RNA binding alone can partially shift the equilibrium from an ‘open’ to a ‘closed’-state; this shift appears to be not further pronounced substantially even in the presence of both RNA and ATP as the low rate of ATP hydrolysis does not change.

Fluorescence methods in the investigation of the DEAD-box helicase mechanism

DEAD-box proteins catalyze the ATP-dependent unwinding of RNA duplexes and accompany RNA molecules throughout their cellular life. Conformational changes in the helicase core of DEAD-box proteins are intimately linked to duplex unwinding. In the absence of ligands, the two RecA domains of the helicase core are separated. ATP and RNA binding induces a closure of the cleft between the RecA domains that is coupled to the distortion of bound RNA, leading to duplex destabilization and dissociation of one RNA strand. Reopening of the helicase core occurs after ATP hydrolysis and is coupled to phosphate release and dissociation of the second RNA strand.Fluorescence spectroscopy provides an array of approaches to study intermolecular interactions, local structural rearrangements, or large conformational changes of biomolecules. The fluorescence intensity of a fluorophore reports on its environment, and fluorescence anisotropy reflects the size of the molecular entity the fluorophore is part of. Fluorescence intensity and anisotropy are therefore sensitive probes to report on binding and dissociation events. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) reports on the distance between two fluorophores and thus on conformational changes. Single-molecule FRET experiments reveal the distribution of conformational states and the kinetics of their interconversion. This chapter summarizes fluorescence approaches for monitoring individual aspects of DEAD-box protein activity, from nucleotide and RNA binding and RNA unwinding to protein and RNA conformational changes in the catalytic cycle, and illustrates exemplarily how fluorescence-based methods have contributed to understanding the mechanism of DEAD-box helicase-catalyzed RNA unwinding.

DEAD-box RNA helicase domains exhibit a continuum between complete functional independence and high thermodynamic coupling in nucleotide and RNA duplex recognition

DEAD-box helicases catalyze the non-processive unwinding of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) at the expense of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. Nucleotide and RNA binding and unwinding are mediated by the RecA domains of the helicase core, but their cooperation in these processes remains poorly understood. We therefore investigated dsRNA and nucleotide binding by the helicase cores and the isolated N- and C-terminal RecA domains (RecA_N, RecA_C) of the DEAD-box proteins Hera and YxiN by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods. Both helicases bind nucleotides predominantly via RecA_N, in agreement with previous studies on Mss116, and with a universal, modular function of RecA_N in nucleotide recognition. In contrast, dsRNA recognition is different: Hera interacts with dsRNA in the absence of nucleotide, involving both RecA domains, whereas for YxiN neither RecA_N nor RecA_C binds dsRNA, and the complete core only interacts with dsRNA after nucleotide has been bound. DEAD-box proteins thus cover a continuum from complete functional independence of their domains, exemplified by Mss116, to various degrees of inter-domain cooperation in dsRNA binding. The different degrees of domain communication and of thermodynamic linkage between dsRNA and nucleotide binding have important implications on the mechanism of dsRNA unwinding, and may help direct RNA helicases to their respective cellular processes.

eIF4B, eIF4G and RNA regulate eIF4A activity in translation initiation by modulating the eIF4A conformational cycle

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4A is a DEAD-box helicase that resolves secondary structure elements in the 5'-UTR of mRNAs during ribosome scanning. Its RNA-stimulated ATPase and ATP-dependent helicase activities are enhanced by other translation initiation factors, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. DEAD-box proteins alternate between open and closed conformations during RNA unwinding. The transition to the closed conformation is linked to duplex destabilization. eIF4A is a special DEAD-box protein that can adopt three different conformations, an open state in the absence of ligands, a half-open state stabilized by the translation initiation factor eIF4G and a closed state in the presence of eIF4G and eIF4B. We show here that eIF4A alone does not measurably sample the closed conformation. The translation initiation factors eIF4B and eIF4G accelerate the eIF4A conformational cycle. eIF4G increases the rate of closing more than the opening rate, and eIF4B selectively increases the closing rate. Strikingly, the rate constants and the effect of eIF4B are different for different RNAs, and are related to the presence of single-stranded regions. Modulating the kinetics of the eIF4A conformational cycle is thus central for the multi-layered regulation of its activity, and for its role as a regulatory hub in translation initiation.

eIF4B and eIF4G jointly stimulate eIF4A ATPase and unwinding activities by modulation of the eIF4A conformational cycle

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) is a DEAD-box protein that participates in translation initiation. As an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, it is thought to resolve secondary structure elements from the 5'-untranslated region of mRNAs to enable ribosome scanning. The RNA-stimulated ATPase and ATP-dependent helicase activities of eIF4A are enhanced by auxiliary proteins, but the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Here, we have dissected the effect of eIF4B and eIF4G on eIF4A RNA-dependent ATPase- and RNA helicase activities and on eIF4A conformation. We show for the first time that yeast eIF4B, like its mammalian counterpart, can stimulate RNA unwinding by eIF4A, although it does not affect the eIF4A conformation. The eIF4G middle domain enhances this stimulatory effect and promotes the formation of a closed eIF4A conformation in the presence of ATP and RNA. The closed state of eIF4A has been inferred but has not been observed experimentally before. eIF4B and eIF4G jointly stimulate ATP hydrolysis and RNA unwinding by eIF4A and favor the formation of the closed eIF4A conformer. Our results reveal distinct functions of eIF4B and eIF4G in synergistically stimulating the eIF4A helicase activity in the mRNA scanning process.

Recognition of two distinct elements in the RNA substrate by the RNA-binding domain of the T. thermophilus DEAD box helicase Hera

DEAD box helicases catalyze the ATP-dependent destabilization of RNA duplexes. Whereas duplex separation is mediated by the helicase core shared by all members of the family, flanking domains often contribute to binding of the RNA substrate. The Thermus thermophilus DEAD-box helicase Hera (for “heat-resistant RNA-binding ATPase”) contains a C-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD). We have analyzed RNA binding to the Hera RBD by a combination of mutational analyses, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography, and identify residues on helix α1 and the C-terminus as the main determinants for high-affinity RNA binding. A crystal structure of the RBD in complex with a single-stranded RNA resolves the RNA–protein interactions in the RBD core region around helix α1. Differences in RNA binding to the Hera RBD and to the structurally similar RBD of the Bacillus subtilis DEAD box helicase YxiN illustrate the versatility of RNA recognition motifs as RNA-binding platforms. Comparison of chemical shift perturbation patterns elicited by different RNAs, and the effect of sequence changes in the RNA on binding and unwinding show that the RBD binds a single-stranded RNA region at the core and simultaneously contacts double-stranded RNA through its C-terminal tail. The helicase core then unwinds an adjacent RNA duplex. Overall, the mode of RNA binding by Hera is consistent with a possible function as a general RNA chaperone.

Helicase-mediated changes in RNA structure at the single-molecule level

RNA helicases are a diverse group of RNA-dependent ATPases known to play a large number of biological roles inside the cell, such as RNA unwinding, remodeling, export and degradation. Understanding how helicases mediate changes in RNA structure is therefore of fundamental interest. The advent of single-molecule spectroscopic techniques has unveiled with unprecedented detail the interplay of RNA helicases with their substrates. In this review, we describe the characterization of helicase-RNA interactions by single-molecule approaches. State-of-the-art techniques are presented, followed by a discussion of recent advancements in this exciting field.

The DEAD-box helicase eIF4A: paradigm or the odd one out?

DEAD-box helicases catalyze the ATP-dependent unwinding of RNA duplexes. They share a helicase core formed by two RecA-like domains that carries a set of conserved motifs contributing to ATP binding and hydrolysis, RNA binding and duplex unwinding. The translation initiation factor eIF4A is the founding member of the DEAD-box protein family, and one of the few examples of DEAD-box proteins that consist of a helicase core only. It is an RNA-stimulated ATPase and a non-processive helicase that unwinds short RNA duplexes. In the catalytic cycle, a series of conformational changes couples the nucleotide cycle to RNA unwinding. eIF4A has been considered a paradigm for DEAD-box proteins, and studies of its function have revealed the governing principles underlying the DEAD-box helicase mechanism. However, as an isolated helicase core, eIF4A is rather the exception, not the rule. Most helicase modules in other DEAD-box proteins are modified, some by insertions into the RecA-like domains, and the majority by N- and C-terminal appendages. While the basic catalytic function resides within the helicase core, its modulation by insertions, additional domains or a network of interaction partners generates the diversity of DEAD-box protein functions in the cell. This review summarizes the current knowledge on eIF4A and its regulation, and discusses to what extent eIF4A serves as a model DEAD-box protein.

RNA helicases in infection and disease

RNA helicases unwind their RNA substrates in an ATP-dependent reaction, and are central to all cellular processes involving RNA. They have important roles in viral life cycles, where RNA helicases are either virus-encoded or recruited from the host. Vertebrate RNA helicases sense viral infections, and trigger the innate antiviral immune response. RNA helicases have been implicated in protozoic, bacterial and fungal infections. They are also linked to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging processes.   Genome-wide studies continue to identify helicase genes that change their expression patterns after infection or disease outbreak, but the mechanism of RNA helicase action has been defined for only a few diseases. RNA helicases are prognostic and diagnostic markers and suitable drug targets, predominantly for antiviral and anti-cancer therapies. This review summarizes the current knowledge on RNA helicases in infection and disease, and their growing potential as drug targets.

DEAD-box proteins as RNA helicases and chaperones

DEAD-box proteins are ubiquitous in RNA-mediated processes and function by coupling cycles of ATP binding and hydrolysis to changes in affinity for single-stranded RNA. Many DEAD-box proteins use this basic mechanism as the foundation for a version of RNA helicase activity, efficiently separating the strands of short RNA duplexes in a process that involves little or no translocation. This activity, coupled with mechanisms to direct different DEAD-box proteins to their physiological substrates, allows them to promote RNA folding steps and rearrangements and to accelerate remodeling of RNA–protein complexes. This review will describe the properties of DEAD-box proteins as RNA helicases and the current understanding of how the energy from ATPase activity is used to drive the separation of RNA duplex strands. It will then describe how the basic biochemical properties allow some DEAD-box proteins to function as chaperones by promoting RNA folding reactions, with a focus on the self-splicing group I and group II intron RNAs.

Conformational changes of DEAD-box helicases monitored by single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer

DEAD-box proteins catalyze the ATP-dependent unwinding of RNA duplexes. The common unit of these enzymes is a helicase core of two flexibly linked RecA domains. ATP binding and phosphate release control opening and closing of the cleft in the helicase core. This movement coordinates RNA-binding and ATPase activity and is thus central to the function of DEAD-box helicases. In most DEAD box proteins, the helicase core is flanked by ancillary N-and C-terminal domains. Here, we describe single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) approaches to directly monitor conformational changes associated with opening and closing of the helicase core. We further outline smFRET strategies to determine the orientation of flanking N- and C-terminal domains of DEAD-box helicases and to assess the effects of regulatory proteins on DEAD-box helicase conformation.

Single-molecule FRET reveals nucleotide-driven conformational changes in molecular machines and their link to RNA unwinding and DNA supercoiling

Many complex cellular processes in the cell are catalysed at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. The enzymes involved bind and hydrolyse ATP and couple ATP hydrolysis to the catalysed process via cycles of nucleotide-driven conformational changes. In this review, I illustrate how smFRET (single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer) can define the underlying conformational changes that drive ATP-dependent molecular machines. The first example is a DEAD-box helicase that alternates between two different conformations in its catalytic cycle during RNA unwinding, and the second is DNA gyrase, a topoisomerase that undergoes a set of concerted conformational changes during negative supercoiling of DNA.

Changing nucleotide specificity of the DEAD-box helicase Hera abrogates communication between the Q-motif and the P-loop

DEAD-box proteins disrupt or remodel RNA and protein/RNA complexes at the expense of ATP. The catalytic core is composed of two flexibly connected RecA-like domains. The N-terminal domain contains most of the motifs involved in nucleotide binding and serves as a minimalistic model for helicase/nucleotide interactions. A single conserved glutamine in the so-called Q-motif has been suggested as a conformational sensor for the nucleotide state. To reprogram the Thermus thermophilus RNA helicase Hera for use of oxo-ATP instead of ATP and to investigate the sensor function of the Q-motif, we analyzed helicase activity of Hera Q28E. Crystal structures of the Hera N-terminal domain Q28E mutant (TthDEAD_Q28E) in apo- and ligand-bound forms show that Q28E does change specificity from adenine to 8-oxoadenine. However, significant structural changes accompany the Q28E mutation, which prevent the P-loop from adopting its catalytically active conformation and explain the lack of helicase activity of Hera_Q28E with either ATP or 8-oxo-ATP as energy sources. 8-Oxo-adenosine, 8-oxo-AMP, and 8-oxo-ADP weakly bind to TthDEAD_Q28E but in non-canonical modes. These results indicate that the Q-motif not only senses the nucleotide state of the helicase but could also stabilize a catalytically competent conformation of the P-loop and other helicase signature motifs.

Phylogenetic distribution and evolutionary history of bacterial DEAD-Box proteins

DEAD-box proteins are found in all domains of life and participate in almost all cellular processes that involve RNA. The presence of DEAD and Helicase_C conserved domains distinguish these proteins. DEAD-box proteins exhibit RNA-dependent ATPase activity in vitro, and several also show RNA helicase activity. In this study, we analyzed the distribution and architecture of DEAD-box proteins among bacterial genomes to gain insight into the evolutionary pathways that have shaped their history. We identified 1,848 unique DEAD-box proteins from 563 bacterial genomes. Bacterial genomes can possess a single copy DEAD-box gene, or up to 12 copies of the gene, such as in Shewanella. The alignment of 1,208 sequences allowed us to perform a robust analysis of the hallmark motifs of DEAD-box proteins and determine the residues that occur at high frequency, some of which were previously overlooked. Bacterial DEAD-box proteins do not generally contain a conserved C-terminal domain, with the exception of some members that possess a DbpA RNA-binding domain (RBD). Phylogenetic analysis showed a separation of DbpA-RBD-containing and DbpA-RBD-lacking sequences and revealed a group of DEAD-box protein genes that expanded mainly in the Proteobacteria. Analysis of DEAD-box proteins from Firmicutes and γ-Proteobacteria, was used to deduce orthologous relationships of the well-studied DEAD-box proteins from Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. These analyses suggest that DbpA-RBD is an ancestral domain that most likely emerged as a specialized domain of the RNA-dependent ATPases. Moreover, these data revealed numerous events of gene family expansion and reduction following speciation.

Insight into helicase mechanism and function revealed through single-molecule approaches

Helicases are a class of nucleic acid (NA) motors that catalyze NTP-dependent unwinding of NA duplexes into single strands, a reaction essential to all areas of NA metabolism. In the last decade, single-molecule (sm) technology has proven to be highly useful in revealing mechanistic insight into helicase activity that is not always detectable via ensemble assays. A combination of methods based on fluorescence, optical and magnetic tweezers, and flow-induced DNA stretching has enabled the study of helicase conformational dynamics, force generation, step size, pausing, reversal and repetitive behaviors during translocation and unwinding by helicases working alone and as part of multiprotein complexes. The contributions of these sm investigations to our understanding of helicase mechanism and function will be discussed.

The mechanism of ATP-dependent RNA unwinding by DEAD box proteins

DEAD box proteins catalyze the ATP-dependent unwinding of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). In addition, they facilitate protein displacement and remodeling of RNA or RNA/protein complexes. Their hallmark feature is local destabilization of RNA duplexes. Here, we summarize current data on the DEAD box protein mechanism and present a model for RNA unwinding that integrates recent data on the effect of ATP analogs and mutations on DEAD box protein activity. DEAD box proteins share a conserved helicase core with two flexibly linked RecA-like domains that contain all helicase signature motifs. Variable flanking regions contribute to substrate binding and modulate activity. In the presence of ATP and RNA, the helicase core adopts a compact, closed conformation with extensive interdomain contacts and high affinity for RNA. In the closed conformation, the RecA-like domains form a catalytic site for ATP hydrolysis and a continuous RNA binding site. A kink in the backbone of the bound RNA locally destabilizes the duplex. Rearrangement of this initial complex generates a hydrolysis- and unwinding-competent state. From this complex, the first RNA strand can dissociate. After ATP hydrolysis and phosphate release, the DEAD box protein returns to a low-affinity state for RNA. Dissociation of the second RNA strand and reopening of the cleft in the helicase core allow for further catalytic cycles.

The Thermus thermophilus DEAD box helicase Hera contains a modified RNA recognition motif domain loosely connected to the helicase core

DEAD box family helicases consist of a helicase core that is formed by two flexibly linked RecA-like domains. The helicase activity can be regulated by N- or C-terminal extensions flanking the core. Thermus thermophilus heat resistant RNA-dependent ATPase (Hera) is the first DEAD box helicase that forms a dimer using a unique dimerization domain. In addition to the dimerization domain, Hera contains a C-terminal RNA binding domain (RBD) that shares sequence homology only to uncharacterized proteins of the Deinococcus/Thermus group. The crystal structure of Hera_RBD reveals the fold of an altered RNA recognition motif (RRM) with limited structural homology to the RBD of the DEAD box helicase YxiN from Bacillus subtilis. Comparison with RRM/RNA complexes shows that a RNA binding mode different than that suggested for YxiN, but similar to U1A, can be inferred for Hera. The orientation of the RBD relative to the helicase core was defined in a second crystal structure of a Hera fragment including the C-terminal RecA domain, the dimerization domain, and the RBD. The structures allow construction of a model for the entire Hera helicase dimer. A likely binding surface for large RNA substrates that spans both RecA-like domains and the RBD is identified.

Crystallization and preliminary characterization of the Thermus thermophilus RNA helicase Hera C-terminal domain

Heat-resistant RNA-dependent ATPase (Hera) from Thermus thermophilus is a DEAD-box RNA helicase. Two constructs encompassing the second RecA-like domain and the C-terminal domain of Hera were overproduced in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Single crystals of both Hera constructs were obtained in three crystal forms. A tetragonal crystal form belonged to space group P4(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = 65.5, c = 153.0 A, and contained one molecule per asymmetric unit. Two orthorhombic forms belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 62.8, b = 70.9, c = 102.3 A (form I) and a = 41.6, b = 67.6, c = 183.5 A (form II). Both orthorhombic forms contained two molecules per asymmetric unit. All crystals diffracted X-rays to beyond 3 A resolution, but the tetragonal data sets displayed high Wilson B values and high mean |E(2) - 1| values, indicating potential disorder and anisotropy. The tetragonal crystal was phased by MAD using a single selenium site.

A novel dimerization motif in the C-terminal domain of the Thermus thermophilus DEAD box helicase Hera confers substantial flexibility

DEAD box helicases are involved in nearly all aspects of RNA metabolism. They share a common helicase core, and may comprise additional domains that contribute to RNA binding. The Thermus thermophilus helicase Hera is the first dimeric DEAD box helicase. Crystal structures of Hera fragments reveal a bipartite C-terminal domain with a novel dimerization motif and an RNA-binding module. We provide a first glimpse on the additional RNA-binding module outside the Hera helicase core. The dimerization and RNA-binding domains are connected to the C-terminal RecA domain by a hinge region that confers exceptional flexibility onto the helicase, allowing for different juxtapositions of the RecA-domains in the dimer. Combination of the previously determined N-terminal Hera structure with the C-terminal Hera structures allows generation of a model for the entire Hera dimer, where two helicase cores can work in conjunction on large RNA substrates.