1
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Chadda R, Kaushik V, Ahmad IM, Deveryshetty J, Holehouse AS, Sigurdsson ST, Biswas G, Levy Y, Bothner B, Cooley RB, Mehl RA, Dastvan R, Origanti S, Antony E. Partial wrapping of single-stranded DNA by replication protein A and modulation through phosphorylation. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae584. [PMID: 38989614 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) intermediates which emerge during DNA metabolic processes are shielded by replication protein A (RPA). RPA binds to ssDNA and acts as a gatekeeper to direct the ssDNA towards downstream DNA metabolic pathways with exceptional specificity. Understanding the mechanistic basis for such RPA-dependent functional specificity requires knowledge of the structural conformation of ssDNA when RPA-bound. Previous studies suggested a stretching of ssDNA by RPA. However, structural investigations uncovered a partial wrapping of ssDNA around RPA. Therefore, to reconcile the models, in this study, we measured the end-to-end distances of free ssDNA and RPA-ssDNA complexes using single-molecule FRET and double electron-electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy and found only a small systematic increase in the end-to-end distance of ssDNA upon RPA binding. This change does not align with a linear stretching model but rather supports partial wrapping of ssDNA around the contour of DNA binding domains of RPA. Furthermore, we reveal how phosphorylation at the key Ser-384 site in the RPA70 subunit provides access to the wrapped ssDNA by remodeling the DNA-binding domains. These findings establish a precise structural model for RPA-bound ssDNA, providing valuable insights into how RPA facilitates the remodeling of ssDNA for subsequent downstream processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Chadda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Vikas Kaushik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Iram Munir Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Science Institute, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Jaigeeth Deveryshetty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Alex S Holehouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Snorri Th Sigurdsson
- Department of Chemistry, Science Institute, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Gargi Biswas
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaakov Levy
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Brian Bothner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Richard B Cooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Ryan A Mehl
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Reza Dastvan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Sofia Origanti
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Edwin Antony
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
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2
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Pangeni S, Biswas G, Kaushik V, Kuppa S, Yang O, Lin CT, Mishra G, Levy Y, Antony E, Ha T. Rapid Long-distance Migration of RPA on Single Stranded DNA Occurs Through Intersegmental Transfer Utilizing Multivalent Interactions. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168491. [PMID: 38360091 PMCID: PMC10949852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Replication Protein A (RPA) is asingle strandedDNA(ssDNA)binding protein that coordinates diverse DNA metabolic processes including DNA replication, repair, and recombination. RPA is a heterotrimeric protein with six functional oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide (OB) domains and flexible linkers. Flexibility enables RPA to adopt multiple configurations andis thought to modulate its function. Here, usingsingle moleculeconfocal fluorescencemicroscopy combinedwith optical tweezers and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the diffusional migration of single RPA molecules on ssDNA undertension.The diffusioncoefficientDis the highest (20,000nucleotides2/s) at 3pNtension and in 100 mMKCl and markedly decreases whentensionor salt concentrationincreases. We attribute the tension effect to intersegmental transfer which is hindered by DNA stretching and the salt effect to an increase in binding site size and interaction energy of RPA-ssDNA. Our integrative study allowed us to estimate the size and frequency of intersegmental transfer events that occur through transient bridging of distant sites on DNA by multiple binding sites on RPA. Interestingly, deletion of RPA trimeric core still allowed significant ssDNA binding although the reduced contact area made RPA 15-fold more mobile. Finally, we characterized the effect of RPA crowding on RPA migration. These findings reveal how the high affinity RPA-ssDNA interactions are remodeled to yield access, a key step in several DNA metabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushil Pangeni
- TC Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gargi Biswas
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vikas Kaushik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sahiti Kuppa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Olivia Yang
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chang-Ting Lin
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Garima Mishra
- Department of Physics, Ashoka University, Sonepet, Haryana, India
| | - Yaakov Levy
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edwin Antony
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Taekjip Ha
- TC Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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Wang Y, Meng FL, Yeap LS. DNA flexibility can shape the preferential hypermutation of antibody genes. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:167-176. [PMID: 38402044 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-coding genes accumulate somatic mutations to achieve antibody affinity maturation. Genetic dissection using various mouse models has shown that intrinsic hypermutations occur preferentially and are predisposed in the DNA region encoding antigen-contacting residues. The molecular basis of nonrandom/preferential mutations is a long-sought question in the field. Here, we summarize recent findings on how single-strand (ss)DNA flexibility facilitates activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) activity and fine-tunes the mutation rates at a mesoscale within the antibody variable domain exon. We propose that antibody coding sequences are selected based on mutability during the evolution of adaptive immunity and that DNA mechanics play a noncoding role in the genome. The mechanics code may also determine other cellular DNA metabolism processes, which awaits future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Fei-Long Meng
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Leng-Siew Yeap
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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4
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Chakraborty D, Mondal B, Thirumalai D. Brewing COFFEE: A Sequence-Specific Coarse-Grained Energy Function for Simulations of DNA-Protein Complexes. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:1398-1413. [PMID: 38241144 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
DNA-protein interactions are pervasive in a number of biophysical processes ranging from transcription and gene expression to chromosome folding. To describe the structural and dynamic properties underlying these processes accurately, it is important to create transferable computational models. Toward this end, we introduce Coarse-grained Force Field for Energy Estimation, COFFEE, a robust framework for simulating DNA-protein complexes. To brew COFFEE, we integrated the energy function in the self-organized polymer model with side-chains for proteins and the three interaction site model for DNA in a modular fashion, without recalibrating any of the parameters in the original force-fields. A unique feature of COFFEE is that it describes sequence-specific DNA-protein interactions using a statistical potential (SP) derived from a data set of high-resolution crystal structures. The only parameter in COFFEE is the strength (λDNAPRO) of the DNA-protein contact potential. For an optimal choice of λDNAPRO, the crystallographic B-factors for DNA-protein complexes with varying sizes and topologies are quantitatively reproduced. Without any further readjustments to the force-field parameters, COFFEE predicts scattering profiles that are in quantitative agreement with small-angle X-ray scattering experiments, as well as chemical shifts that are consistent with NMR. We also show that COFFEE accurately describes the salt-induced unraveling of nucleosomes. Strikingly, our nucleosome simulations explain the destabilization effect of ARG to LYS mutations, which do not alter the balance of electrostatic interactions but affect chemical interactions in subtle ways. The range of applications attests to the transferability of COFFEE, and we anticipate that it would be a promising framework for simulating DNA-protein complexes at the molecular length-scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debayan Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E 24th Street, Stop A5300, Austin 78712, Texas, United States
| | - Balaka Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E 24th Street, Stop A5300, Austin 78712, Texas, United States
| | - D Thirumalai
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E 24th Street, Stop A5300, Austin 78712, Texas, United States
- Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, 2515 Speedway, Austin 78712, Texas, United States
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5
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Bonde NJ, Kozlov AG, Cox MM, Lohman TM, Keck JL. Molecular insights into the prototypical single-stranded DNA-binding protein from E. coli. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 59:99-127. [PMID: 38770626 PMCID: PMC11209772 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2024.2330372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The SSB protein of Escherichia coli functions to bind single-stranded DNA wherever it occurs during DNA metabolism. Depending upon conditions, SSB occurs in several different binding modes. In the course of its function, SSB diffuses on ssDNA and transfers rapidly between different segments of ssDNA. SSB interacts with many other proteins involved in DNA metabolism, with 22 such SSB-interacting proteins, or SIPs, defined to date. These interactions chiefly involve the disordered and conserved C-terminal residues of SSB. When not bound to ssDNA, SSB can aggregate to form a phase-separated biomolecular condensate. Current understanding of the properties of SSB and the functional significance of its many intermolecular interactions are summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina J. Bonde
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Alexander G. Kozlov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael M. Cox
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Timothy M. Lohman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - James L. Keck
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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6
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Dueva R, Krieger LM, Li F, Luo D, Xiao H, Stuschke M, Metzen E, Iliakis G. Chemical Inhibition of RPA by HAMNO Alters Cell Cycle Dynamics by Impeding DNA Replication and G2-to-M Transition but Has Little Effect on the Radiation-Induced DNA Damage Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14941. [PMID: 37834389 PMCID: PMC10573259 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Replication protein A (RPA) is the major single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein that is essential for DNA replication and processing of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homology-directed repair pathways. Recently, small molecule inhibitors have been developed targeting the RPA70 subunit and preventing RPA interactions with ssDNA and various DNA repair proteins. The rationale of this development is the potential utility of such compounds as cancer therapeutics, owing to their ability to inhibit DNA replication that sustains tumor growth. Among these compounds, (1Z)-1-[(2-hydroxyanilino) methylidene] naphthalen-2-one (HAMNO) has been more extensively studied and its efficacy against tumor growth was shown to arise from the associated DNA replication stress. Here, we study the effects of HAMNO on cells exposed to ionizing radiation (IR), focusing on the effects on the DNA damage response and the processing of DSBs and explore its potential as a radiosensitizer. We show that HAMNO by itself slows down the progression of cells through the cell cycle by dramatically decreasing DNA synthesis. Notably, HAMNO also attenuates the progression of G2-phase cells into mitosis by a mechanism that remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, HAMNO increases the fraction of chromatin-bound RPA in S-phase but not in G2-phase cells and suppresses DSB repair by homologous recombination. Despite these marked effects on the cell cycle and the DNA damage response, radiosensitization could neither be detected in exponentially growing cultures, nor in cultures enriched in G2-phase cells. Our results complement existing data on RPA inhibitors, specifically HAMNO, and suggest that their antitumor activity by replication stress induction may not extend to radiosensitization. However, it may render cells more vulnerable to other forms of DNA damaging agents through synthetically lethal interactions, which requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rositsa Dueva
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.K.); (F.L.); (D.L.); (H.X.)
- Institute of Physiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Lisa Marie Krieger
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.K.); (F.L.); (D.L.); (H.X.)
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Fanghua Li
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.K.); (F.L.); (D.L.); (H.X.)
- West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Daxian Luo
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.K.); (F.L.); (D.L.); (H.X.)
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Huaping Xiao
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.K.); (F.L.); (D.L.); (H.X.)
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Martin Stuschke
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eric Metzen
- Institute of Physiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - George Iliakis
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.K.); (F.L.); (D.L.); (H.X.)
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
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7
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Chakraborty D, Mondal B, Thirumalai D. Brewing COFFEE: A sequence-specific coarse-grained energy function for simulations of DNA-protein complexes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.07.544064. [PMID: 37333386 PMCID: PMC10274755 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.07.544064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
DNA-protein interactions are pervasive in a number of biophysical processes ranging from transcription, gene expression, to chromosome folding. To describe the structural and dynamic properties underlying these processes accurately, it is important to create transferable computational models. Toward this end, we introduce Coarse grained force field for energy estimation, COFFEE, a robust framework for simulating DNA-protein complexes. To brew COFFEE, we integrated the energy function in the Self-Organized Polymer model with Side Chains for proteins and the Three Interaction Site model for DNA in a modular fashion, without re-calibrating any of the parameters in the original force-fields. A unique feature of COFFEE is that it describes sequence-specific DNA-protein interactions using a statistical potential (SP) derived from a dataset of high-resolution crystal structures. The only parameter in COFFEE is the strength (λ D N A P R O ) of the DNA-protein contact potential. For an optimal choice of λ D N A P R O , the crystallographic B-factors for DNA-protein complexes, with varying sizes and topologies, are quantitatively reproduced. Without any further readjustments to the force-field parameters, COFFEE predicts the scattering profiles that are in quantitative agreement with SAXS experiments as well as chemical shifts that are consistent with NMR. We also show that COFFEE accurately describes the salt-induced unraveling of nucleosomes. Strikingly, our nucleosome simulations explain the destabilization effect of ARG to LYS mutations, which does not alter the balance of electrostatic interactions, but affects chemical interactions in subtle ways. The range of applications attests to the transferability of COFFEE, and we anticipate that it would be a promising framework for simulating DNA-protein complexes at the molecular length-scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debayan Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E 24th St, Stop A5300, Austin TX 78712, USA
| | - Balaka Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E 24th St, Stop A5300, Austin TX 78712, USA
| | - D Thirumalai
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 E 24th St, Stop A5300, Austin TX 78712, USA
- Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, 2515 Speedway,Austin TX 78712, USA
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8
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Mersch K, Sokoloski J, Nguyen B, Galletto R, Lohman T. "Helicase" Activity promoted through dynamic interactions between a ssDNA translocase and a diffusing SSB protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216777120. [PMID: 37011199 PMCID: PMC10104510 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216777120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Replication protein A (RPA) is a eukaryotic single-stranded (ss) DNA-binding (SSB) protein that is essential for all aspects of genome maintenance. RPA binds ssDNA with high affinity but can also diffuse along ssDNA. By itself, RPA is capable of transiently disrupting short regions of duplex DNA by diffusing from a ssDNA that flanks the duplex DNA. Using single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence and optical trapping combined with fluorescence approaches, we show that S. cerevisiae Pif1 can use its ATP-dependent 5' to 3' translocase activity to chemomechanically push a single human RPA (hRPA) heterotrimer directionally along ssDNA at rates comparable to those of Pif1 translocation alone. We further show that using its translocation activity, Pif1 can push hRPA from a ssDNA loading site into a duplex DNA causing stable disruption of at least 9 bp of duplex DNA. These results highlight the dynamic nature of hRPA enabling it to be readily reorganized even when bound tightly to ssDNA and demonstrate a mechanism by which directional DNA unwinding can be achieved through the combined action of a ssDNA translocase that pushes an SSB protein. These results highlight the two basic requirements for any processive DNA helicase: transient DNA base pair melting (supplied by hRPA) and ATP-dependent directional ssDNA translocation (supplied by Pif1) and that these functions can be unlinked by using two separate proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacey N. Mersch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110-1093
| | - Joshua E. Sokoloski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110-1093
- Department of Chemistry, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD21801
| | - Binh Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110-1093
| | - Roberto Galletto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110-1093
| | - Timothy M. Lohman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110-1093
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9
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Phase separation properties of RPA combine high-affinity ssDNA binding with dynamic condensate functions at telomeres. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:451-462. [PMID: 36894693 PMCID: PMC10113159 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00932-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
RPA has been shown to protect single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) intermediates from instability and breakage. RPA binds ssDNA with sub-nanomolar affinity, yet dynamic turnover is required for downstream ssDNA transactions. How ultrahigh-affinity binding and dynamic turnover are achieved simultaneously is not well understood. Here we reveal that RPA has a strong propensity to assemble into dynamic condensates. In solution, purified RPA phase separates into liquid droplets with fusion and surface wetting behavior. Phase separation is stimulated by sub-stoichiometric amounts of ssDNA, but not RNA or double-stranded DNA, and ssDNA gets selectively enriched in RPA condensates. We find the RPA2 subunit required for condensation and multi-site phosphorylation of the RPA2 N-terminal intrinsically disordered region to regulate RPA self-interaction. Functionally, quantitative proximity proteomics links RPA condensation to telomere clustering and integrity in cancer cells. Collectively, our results suggest that RPA-coated ssDNA is contained in dynamic RPA condensates whose properties are important for genome organization and stability.
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10
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Interdomain dynamics in human Replication Protein A regulates kinetics and thermodynamics of its binding to ssDNA. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0278396. [PMID: 36656834 PMCID: PMC9851514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Replication Protein A (hRPA) is a multidomain protein that interacts with ssDNA intermediates to provide the latter much-needed stability during DNA metabolism and maintain genomic integrity. Although the ssDNA organization with hRPA was studied recently through experimental means, characterizing the underlying mechanism at the atomic level remains challenging because of the dynamic domain architecture of hRPA and poorly understood heterogeneity of ssDNA-protein interactions. Here, we used a computational framework, precisely tailored to capture protein-ssDNA interactions, and investigated the binding of hRPA with a 60 nt ssDNA. Two distinct binding mechanisms are realized based on the hRPA domain flexibility. For a rigid domain architecture of hRPA, ssDNA binds sequentially with hRPA domains, resulting in slow association kinetics. The binding pathway involves the formation of stable and distinct intermediate states. On contrary, for a flexible domain architecture of hRPA, ssDNA binds synergistically to the A and B domains followed by the rest of hRPA. The domain dynamics in hRPA alleviates the free energy cost of domain orientation necessary for specific binding with ssDNA, leading to fast association kinetics along a downhill binding free energy landscape. An ensemble of free energetically degenerate intermediate states is encountered that makes it arduous to characterize them structurally. An excellent match between our results with the available experimental observations provides new insights into the rich dynamics of hRPA binding to ssDNA and in general paves the way to investigate intricate details of ssDNA-protein interactions, crucial for cellular functioning.
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11
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Yin J, Fu Y, Rao G, Li Z, Tian K, Chong T, Kuang K, Wang M, Hu Z, Cao S. Structural transitions during the cooperative assembly of baculovirus single-stranded DNA-binding protein on ssDNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:13100-13113. [PMID: 36477586 PMCID: PMC9825184 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) interact with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) to form filamentous structures with various degrees of cooperativity, as a result of intermolecular interactions between neighboring SSB subunits on ssDNA. However, it is still challenging to perform structural studies on SSB-ssDNA filaments at high resolution using the most studied SSB models, largely due to the intrinsic flexibility of these nucleoprotein complexes. In this study, HaLEF-3, an SSB protein from Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus, was used for in vitro assembly of SSB-ssDNA filaments, which were structurally studied at atomic resolution using cryo-electron microscopy. Combined with the crystal structure of ssDNA-free HaLEF-3 octamers, our results revealed that the three-dimensional rearrangement of HaLEF-3 induced by an internal hinge-bending movement is essential for the formation of helical SSB-ssDNA complexes, while the contacting interface between adjacent HaLEF-3 subunits remains basically intact. We proposed a local cooperative SSB-ssDNA binding model, in which, triggered by exposure to oligonucleotides, HaLEF-3 molecules undergo ring-to-helix transition to initiate continuous SSB-SSB interactions along ssDNA. Unique structural features revealed by the assembly of HaLEF-3 on ssDNA suggest that HaLEF-3 may represent a new class of SSB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zhiqiang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Kexing Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Tingting Chong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Kai Kuang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Manli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety, Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Zhihong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety, Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Sheng Cao
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +86 27 87198286; Fax: +86 27 87198286;
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12
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Wieser TA, Wuttke DS. Replication Protein A Utilizes Differential Engagement of Its DNA-Binding Domains to Bind Biologically Relevant ssDNAs in Diverse Binding Modes. Biochemistry 2022; 61:2592-2606. [PMID: 36278947 PMCID: PMC9798700 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Replication protein A (RPA) is a ubiquitous ssDNA-binding protein that functions in many DNA processing pathways to maintain genome integrity. Recent studies suggest that RPA forms a highly dynamic complex with ssDNA that can engage with DNA in many modes that are orchestrated by the differential engagement of the four DNA-binding domains (DBDs) in RPA. To understand how these modes influence RPA interaction with biologically relevant ligands, we performed a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of RPA's binding to a diverse set of ssDNA ligands that varied in sequence, length, and structure. These equilibrium binding data show that WT RPA binds structured ssDNA ligands differently from its engagement with minimal ssDNAs. Next, we investigated each DBD's contributions to RPA's binding modes through mutation of conserved, functionally important aromatic residues. Mutations in DBD-A and -B have a much larger effect on binding when ssDNA is embedded into DNA secondary structures compared to their association with unstructured minimal ssDNA. As our data support a complex interplay of binding modes, it is critical to define the trimer core DBDs' role in binding these biologically relevant ligands. We found that DBD-C is important for engaging DNA with diverse binding modes, including, unexpectedly, at short ssDNAs. Thus, RPA uses its constituent DBDs to bind biologically diverse ligands in unanticipated ways. These findings lead to a better understanding of how RPA carries out its functions at diverse locations of the genome and suggest a mechanism through which dynamic recognition can impact differential downstream outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Wieser
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building, UCB 596, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
| | - Deborah S Wuttke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building, UCB 596, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
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13
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Xu Y, Chen Z, Wu P, Qu W, Shi H, Cheng M, Xu Y, Jin T, Liu C, Liu C, Li Y, Luo M. Nuclear localization of human MEIOB requires its NLS in the OB domain and interaction with SPATA22. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2022; 55:154-161. [PMID: 36331299 PMCID: PMC10157540 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2022156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
MEIOB is a vital protein in meiotic homologous recombination and plays an indispensable role in human gametogenesis. In mammals, MEIOB and its partner SPATA22 form a heterodimer, ensuring their effective localization on single-strand DNA (ssDNA) and proper synapsis processes. Mutations in human MEIOB (hMEIOB) cause human infertility attributed to the failure of its interaction with human SPATA22 (hSPATA22) and ssDNA binding. However, the detailed mechanism is still unclear. In our study, truncated or full-length hMEIOB and hSPATA22 are traced by fused expression with fluorescent proteins (i.e., copGFP or mCherry), and the live cell imaging system is used to observe the expression and localization of the proteins. When transfected alone, hMEIOB accumulates in the cytoplasm. Interestingly, a covered NLS in the OB domain of hMEIOB is identified, which can be exposed by hSPATA22 and is necessary for the nuclear localization of hMEIOB. When hSPATA22 loses its hMEIOB interacting domain or NLS, the nuclear localization of hMEIOB is aborted. Collectively, our results prove that the NLS in the OB domain of hMEIOB and interaction with hSPATA22 are required for hMEIOB nuclear localization.
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14
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Wang P, Fang X, Du R, Wang J, Liu M, Xu P, Li S, Zhang K, Ye S, You Q, Yang Y, Wang C. Principles of Amino Acid and Nucleotide Revealed by Binding Affinities between Homogeneous Oligopeptides and Single-stranded DNA Molecule s. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200048. [PMID: 35191574 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We have determined the binding strengths between nucleotides of adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine in homogeneous single stranded DNAs and homo-octapeptides consisting of 20 common amino acids. We use a bead-based fluorescence assay for these measurements in which octapeptides are immobilized on the bead surface and ssDNAs are in solutions. The results provide a molecular basis for analyzing selectivity, specificity and polymorphisms of amino-acid-nucleotide interactions. Comparative analyses of the distribution of the binding energies reveal unique binding strengths patterns assignable to each pair of DNA nucleotide and amino acid originating from the chemical structures. Pronounced favorable (such as Arg-G , etc.) and unfavorable (such as Ile-T , etc.) binding interactions can be identified in selected groups of amino acid and nucleotide pairs that could provide basis to elucidate energetics of amino-acid-nucleotide interactions. Such interaction selectivity, specificity and polymorphism manifest the contributions from DNA backbone, DNA bases, as well as main chain and side chain of the amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Wang
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Xiaocui Fang
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Rong Du
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Jiali Wang
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Mingpeng Liu
- Tsinghua University, Department of Chemistry, CHINA
| | - Peng Xu
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Shiqi Li
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Kaiyue Zhang
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Siyuan Ye
- Tsinghua University, Department of Chemistry, CHINA
| | - Qing You
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Yanlian Yang
- NCNST: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, CHINA
| | - Chen Wang
- National Center for NanoScience and Technology, China(NCNST), Beijing, CHINA
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15
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Prusty S, Sarkar R, Chakraborty A, Roy S. Correlation in Domain Fluctuations Navigates Target Search of a Viral Peptide along RNA. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:12678-12689. [PMID: 34756044 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Biological macromolecules often exhibit correlations in fluctuations involving distinct domains. This study decodes their functional implications in RNA-protein recognition and target-specific binding. The target search of a peptide along RNA in a viral TAR-Tat complex is closely monitored using atomistic simulations, steered molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations, and a machine-learning-based clustering technique. An anticorrelated domain fluctuation is identified between the tetraloop and the bulge region in the apo form of TAR RNA that sets a hierarchy in the domain-specific fluctuations at each binding event and that directs the succeeding binding footsteps. Thus, at each binding footstep, the dynamic partner selects an RNA location for binding where it senses a higher fluctuation, which is conventionally reduced upon binding. This event stimulates an alternate domain fluctuation, which then dictates sequential binding footstep/s and thus the search progresses. Our cross-correlation maps show that the fluctuations relay from one domain to another specific domain until the anticorrelation between those interdomain fluctuations sustains. Artificial attenuation of that hierarchical domain fluctuation inhibits specific RNA binding. The binding is completed with the arrival of a few long-lived water molecules that mediate slightly distant RNA-protein sites and finally stabilize the overall complex. The study underscores the functional importance of naturally designed fluctuating RNA motifs (bulge, tetraloop) and their interplay in dictating the directionality of the search in a highly dynamic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangram Prusty
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Raju Sarkar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Amrita Chakraborty
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Susmita Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
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16
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Chowdhury S, Chowdhury AB, Kumar M, Chakraborty S. Revisiting regulatory roles of replication protein A in plant DNA metabolism. PLANTA 2021; 253:130. [PMID: 34047822 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-021-03641-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This review provides insight into the roles of heterotrimeric RPA protein complexes encompassing all aspects of DNA metabolism in plants along with specific function attributed by individual subunits. It highlights research gaps that need further attention. Replication protein A (RPA), a heterotrimeric protein complex partakes in almost every aspect of DNA metabolism in eukaryotes with its principle role being a single-stranded DNA-binding protein, thereby providing stability to single-stranded (ss) DNA. Although most of our knowledge of RPA structure and its role in DNA metabolism is based on studies in yeast and animal system, in recent years, plants have also been reported to have diverse repertoire of RPA complexes (formed by combination of different RPA subunit homologs arose during course of evolution), expected to be involved in plethora of DNA metabolic activities. Here, we have reviewed all studies regarding role of RPA in DNA metabolism in plants. As combination of plant RPA complexes may vary largely depending on number of homologs of each subunit, next step for plant biologists is to develop specific functional methods for detailed analysis of biological roles of these complexes, which we have tried to formulate in our review. Besides, complete absence of any study regarding regulatory role of posttranslational modification of RPA complexes in DNA metabolism in plants, prompts us to postulate a hypothetical model of same in light of information from animal system. With our review, we envisage to stimulate the RPA research in plants to shift its course from descriptive to functional studies, thereby bringing a new angle of studying dynamic DNA metabolism in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriyo Chowdhury
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Arpita Basu Chowdhury
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Supriya Chakraborty
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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17
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Bigman LS, Greenblatt HM, Levy Y. What Are the Molecular Requirements for Protein Sliding along DNA? J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:3119-3131. [PMID: 33754737 PMCID: PMC8041311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c00757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
DNA-binding proteins rely on linear
diffusion along the longitudinal
DNA axis, supported by their nonspecific electrostatic affinity for
DNA, to search for their target recognition sites. One may therefore
expect that the ability to engage in linear diffusion along DNA is
universal to all DNA-binding proteins, with the detailed biophysical
characteristics of that diffusion differing between proteins depending
on their structures and functions. One key question is whether the
linear diffusion mechanism is defined by translation coupled with
rotation, a mechanism that is often termed sliding. We conduct coarse-grained
and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the minimal
requirements for protein sliding along DNA. We show that coupling,
while widespread, is not universal. DNA-binding proteins that slide
along DNA transition to uncoupled translation–rotation (i.e.,
hopping) at higher salt concentrations. Furthermore, and consistently
with experimental reports, we find that the sliding mechanism is the
less dominant mechanism for some DNA-binding proteins, even at low
salt concentrations. In particular, the toroidal PCNA protein is shown
to follow the hopping rather than the sliding mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavi S Bigman
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Harry M Greenblatt
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yaakov Levy
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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18
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Cholko T, Chang CEA. Modeling Effects of Surface Properties and Probe Density for Nanoscale Biosensor Design: A Case Study of DNA Hybridization near Surfaces. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:1746-1754. [PMID: 33591751 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c09723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical biosensors have extremely robust applications while offering ease of preparation, miniaturization, and tunability. By adjusting the arrangement and properties of immobilized probes on the sensor surface to optimize target-probe association, one can design highly sensitive and efficient sensors. In electrochemical nucleic acid biosensors, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is widely used as a tunable surface with inserted DNA or RNA probes to detect target sequences. The effects of inhomogeneous probe distribution across surfaces are difficult to study experimentally due to inadequate resolution. Regions of high probe density may inhibit hybridization with targets, and the magnitude of the effect may vary depending on the hybridization mechanism on a given surface. Another fundamental question concerns diffusion and hybridization of DNA taking place on surfaces and whether it speeds up or hinders molecular recognition. We used all-atom Brownian dynamics simulations to help answer these questions by simulating the hybridization process of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) targets with a ssDNA probe on polar, nonpolar, and anionic SAMs at three different probe surface densities. Moreover, we simulated three tightly packed probe clusters by modeling clusters with different interprobe spacing on two different surfaces. Our results indicate that hybridization efficiency depends strongly on finding a balance that allows attractive forces to steer target DNA toward probes without anchoring it to the surface. Furthermore, we found that the hybridization rate becomes severely hindered when interprobe spacing is less than or equal to the target DNA length, proving the need for a careful design to both enhance target-probe association and avoid steric hindrance. We developed a general kinetic model to predict hybridization times and found that it works accurately for typical probe densities. These findings elucidate basic features of nanoscale biosensors, which can aid in rational design efforts and help explain trends in experimental hybridization rates at different probe densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Cholko
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92507, United States
| | - Chia-En A Chang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92507, United States
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19
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Mondal A, Bhattacherjee A. Mechanism of Dynamic Binding of Replication Protein A to ssDNA. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:5057-5069. [PMID: 32990435 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Replication protein A (RPA) serves as a hub protein inside eukaryotic cells, where it coordinates crucial DNA metabolic processes and activates the DNA-damage response system. A characteristic feature of its action is to associate with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) intermediates before handing them over to downstream proteins. The length of ssDNA intermediates differs for different pathways. This means that RPA must have mechanisms for selective processing of ssDNA intermediates based on their length, the knowledge of which is fundamental to elucidate when and how DNA repair and replication processes are symphonized. By employing extensive molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the mechanism of binding of RPA to ssDNA of different lengths. We show that the binding involves dynamic equilibrium with a stable intermediate, the population of which increases with the length of ssDNA. The vital underlying factors are decoded through collective variable principal component analysis. It suggests a differently orchestrated set of interactions that define the action of RPA based on the length of ssDNA intermediates. We further estimated the association kinetics that matches excellently well with previous experimental studies and probed the diffusion mechanism of RPA to ssDNA. RPA diffuses on short ssDNA through progressive "bulge" formation. With long ssDNA, we observed a conformational change in ssDNA coupled with its binding to RPA in a cooperative fashion. This unanticipated binding mechanism successfully explains how the "short-lived", long ssDNA intermediates are processed quickly in vivo. This study thus reveals the molecular basis of several recent experimental observations related to RPA binding to ssDNA and provides novel insights into the RPA functioning in DNA repair and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Mondal
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Arnab Bhattacherjee
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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20
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Caldwell CC, Spies M. Dynamic elements of replication protein A at the crossroads of DNA replication, recombination, and repair. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 55:482-507. [PMID: 32856505 PMCID: PMC7821911 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2020.1813070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The heterotrimeric eukaryotic Replication protein A (RPA) is a master regulator of numerous DNA metabolic processes. For a long time, it has been viewed as an inert protector of ssDNA and a platform for assembly of various genome maintenance and signaling machines. Later, the modular organization of the RPA DNA binding domains suggested a possibility for dynamic interaction with ssDNA. This modular organization has inspired several models for the RPA-ssDNA interaction that aimed to explain how RPA, the high-affinity ssDNA binding protein, is replaced by the downstream players in DNA replication, recombination, and repair that bind ssDNA with much lower affinity. Recent studies, and in particular single-molecule observations of RPA-ssDNA interactions, led to the development of a new model for the ssDNA handoff from RPA to a specific downstream factor where not only stability and structural rearrangements but also RPA conformational dynamics guide the ssDNA handoff. Here we will review the current knowledge of the RPA structure, its dynamic interaction with ssDNA, and how RPA conformational dynamics may be influenced by posttranslational modification and proteins that interact with RPA, as well as how RPA dynamics may be harnessed in cellular decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen C. Caldwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Maria Spies
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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21
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Dueva R, Iliakis G. Replication protein A: a multifunctional protein with roles in DNA replication, repair and beyond. NAR Cancer 2020; 2:zcaa022. [PMID: 34316690 PMCID: PMC8210275 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcaa022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) forms continuously during DNA replication and is an important intermediate during recombination-mediated repair of damaged DNA. Replication protein A (RPA) is the major eukaryotic ssDNA-binding protein. As such, RPA protects the transiently formed ssDNA from nucleolytic degradation and serves as a physical platform for the recruitment of DNA damage response factors. Prominent and well-studied RPA-interacting partners are the tumor suppressor protein p53, the RAD51 recombinase and the ATR-interacting proteins ATRIP and ETAA1. RPA interactions are also documented with the helicases BLM, WRN and SMARCAL1/HARP, as well as the nucleotide excision repair proteins XPA, XPG and XPF–ERCC1. Besides its well-studied roles in DNA replication (restart) and repair, accumulating evidence shows that RPA is engaged in DNA activities in a broader biological context, including nucleosome assembly on nascent chromatin, regulation of gene expression, telomere maintenance and numerous other aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. In addition, novel RPA inhibitors show promising effects in cancer treatment, as single agents or in combination with chemotherapeutics. Since the biochemical properties of RPA and its roles in DNA repair have been extensively reviewed, here we focus on recent discoveries describing several non-canonical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rositsa Dueva
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | - George Iliakis
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, 45122 Essen, Germany
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22
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Bigman LS, Levy Y. Protein Diffusion on Charged Biopolymers: DNA versus Microtubule. Biophys J 2020; 118:3008-3018. [PMID: 32492371 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein diffusion in lower-dimensional spaces is used for various cellular functions. For example, sliding on DNA is essential for proteins searching for their target sites, and protein diffusion on microtubules is important for proper cell division and neuronal development. On the one hand, these linear diffusion processes are mediated by long-range electrostatic interactions between positively charged proteins and negatively charged biopolymers and have similar characteristic diffusion coefficients. On the other hand, DNA and microtubules have different structural properties. Here, using computational approaches, we studied the mechanism of protein diffusion along DNA and microtubules by exploring the diffusion of both protein types on both biopolymers. We found that DNA-binding and microtubule-binding proteins can diffuse on each other's substrates; however, the adopted diffusion mechanism depends on the molecular properties of the diffusing proteins and the biopolymers. On the protein side, only DNA-binding proteins can perform rotation-coupled diffusion along DNA, with this being due to their higher net charge and its spatial organization at the DNA recognition helix. By contrast, the lower net charge on microtubule-binding proteins enables them to diffuse more quickly than DNA-binding proteins on both biopolymers. On the biopolymer side, microtubules possess intrinsically disordered, negatively charged C-terminal tails that interact with microtubule-binding proteins, thus supporting their diffusion. Thus, although both DNA-binding and microtubule-binding proteins can diffuse on the negatively charged biopolymers, the unique molecular features of the biopolymers and of their natural substrates are essential for function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavi S Bigman
- Department of Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaakov Levy
- Department of Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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