An alpha-like DNA polymerase from Halobacterium halobium

Archaeal DNA replication: identifying the pieces to solve a puzzle

Archaeal organisms are currently recognized as very exciting and useful experimental materials. A major challenge to molecular biologists studying the biology of Archaea is their DNA replication mechanism. Undoubtedly, a full understanding of DNA replication in Archaea requires the identification of all the proteins involved. In each of four completely sequenced genomes, only one DNA polymerase (Pol BI proposed in this review from family B enzyme) was reported. This observation suggested that either a single DNA polymerase performs the task of replicating the genome and repairing the mutations or these genomes contain other DNA polymerases that cannot be identified by amino acid sequence. Recently, a heterodimeric DNA polymerase (Pol II, or Pol D as proposed in this review) was discovered in the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus. The genes coding for DP1 and DP2, the subunits of this DNA polymerase, are highly conserved in the Euryarchaeota. Euryarchaeotic DP1, the small subunit of Pol II (Pol D), has sequence similarity with the small subunit of eukaryotic DNA polymerase delta. DP2 protein, the large subunit of Pol II (Pol D), seems to be a catalytic subunit. Despite possessing an excellent primer extension ability in vitro, Pol II (Pol D) may yet require accessory proteins to perform all of its functions in euryarchaeotic cells. This review summarizes our present knowledge about archaeal DNA polymerases and their relationship with those accessory proteins, which were predicted from the genome sequences.

The euryarchaeotes, a subdomain of Archaea, survive on a single DNA polymerase: fact or farce?

Archaea is now recognized as the third domain of life. Since their discovery, much effort has been directed towards understanding the molecular biology and biochemistry of Archaea. The objective is to comprehend the complete structure and the depth of the phylogenetic tree of life. DNA replication is one of the most important events in living organisms and DNA polymerase is the key enzyme in the molecular machinery which drives the process. All archaeal DNA polymerases were thought to belong to family B. This was because all of the products of pol genes that had been cloned showed amino acid sequence similarities to those of this family, which includes three eukaryal DNA replicases and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase II. Recently, we found a new heterodimeric DNA polymerase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus. The genes coding for the subunits of this DNA polymerase are conserved in the euryarchaeotes whose genomes have been completely sequenced. The biochemical characteristics of the novel DNA polymerase family suggest that its members play an important role in DNA replication within euryarchaeal cells. We review here our current knowledge on DNA polymerases in Archaea with emphasis on the novel DNA polymerase discovered in Euryarchaeota.

Multiple forms of DNA polymerase from the thermo-acidophilic eubacterium Bacillus acidocaldarius: purification, biochemical characterization and possible biological role

Two DNA polymerase isoenzymes, called DpA and DpB on the basis of their elution order from DEAE cellulose, were purified to homogeneity from the thermo-acidophilic eubacterium Bacillus acidocaldarius. The enzymes are weakly acidophilic proteins constituted by a single subunit of 117 and 103 kDa respectively. DpA and DpB differ in thermostability, in thermophilicity, in sensitivity to assay conditions and in resistance to sulphydryl-group blocking agents such as N-ethylmaleimide and p-hydroxymercuriobenzoate. They differ also in synthetic template-primer utilization, in the apparent Km for dNTPs and in processivity. In particular, DpA utilizes more effic iently synthetic templates-primers such as poly(dA).poly(dT), poly(dT). (rA)12-18 and poly(rA).(dT)12-18 and presents a greater tendency to accept dNTP analogues modified in the sugar or in the base ring, such as cytosine beta-d-arabinofuranoside 5'-triphosphate, 2',3'-dideoxyribonucleosides 5'-triphosphate, butylphenyl-dGTP and digoxigenin-conjugated dUTP. In addition, DpA presents an exonuclease activity that preferentially hydrolyses DNA in the 5'-3' direction, whereas DpB lacks this activity. The possible biological role of the enzymes is discussed.

Gene duplications in evolution of archaeal family B DNA polymerases

All archaeal DNA-dependent DNA polymerases sequenced to date are homologous to family B DNA polymerases from eukaryotes and eubacteria. Presently, representatives of the euryarchaeote division of archaea appear to have a single family B DNA polymerase, whereas two crenarchaeotes, Pyrodictium occultum and Sulfolobus solfataricus, each possess two family B DNA polymerases. We have found the gene for yet a third family B DNA polymerase, designated B3, in the crenarchaeote S. solfataricus P2. The encoded protein is highly divergent at the amino acid level from the previously characterized family B polymerases in S. solfataricus P2 and contains a number of nonconserved amino acid substitutions in catalytic domains. We have cloned and sequenced the ortholog of this gene from the closely related Sulfolobus shibatae. It is also highly divergent from other archaeal family B DNA polymerases and, surprisingly, from the S. solfataricus B3 ortholog. Phylogenetic analysis using all available archaeal family B DNA polymerases suggests that the S. solfataricus P2 B3 and S. shibatae B3 paralogs are related to one of the two DNA polymerases of P. occultum. These sequences are members of a group which includes all euryarchaeote family B homologs, while the remaining crenarchaeote sequences form another distinct group. Archaeal family B DNA polymerases together constitute a monophyletic subfamily whose evolution has been characterized by a number of gene duplication events.

Purification and properties of DNA polymerase from Bacillus caldotenax

A thermostable DNA polymerase was prepared from Bacillus caldotenax by using a four-step chromatography procedure. The protein exists as a monomer of M(r) 94,000, has a pI of 4.9 and has no associated 3'-5' or 5'-3'-exonuclease activities or endonuclease activity. The temperature optimum of the enzyme was about 70 degrees C and the pH for maximum activity was about 7.5. The enzyme has an absolute requirement for a bivalent cation, and maximum activity was obtained at the unusually high concentration of 70 mM-MgCl2. Mg2+ could be replaced by MnCl2 or CoCl2, with decreased activity, at the lower optimal concentrations of 1 mM and 2.5 mM respectively. Enzyme activity was inhibited in the presence of 2',3'-dideoxy-TTP, arabinosyl-CTP and aphidicolin. Enzyme activity was stimulated with KCl concentrations of about 100 mM, and concentrations of univalent salts above about 150 mM inhibited activity. The enzyme could use activated calf thymus DNA, poly(dA).p(dT)10 or primed single-stranded phage M13 DNA as a template and maximum activity was obtained with poly(dA).p(dT)10. The enzyme was inactive on unprimed single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA and polyribonucleotide template/primer. The apparent Km values for individual dNTPs, determined with the other dNTPs at saturating concentrations, were 5.7 microM (dCTP), 6.3 microM (dATP, dGTP) and 6.4 microM (dTTP). The Km value for the overall incorporation of each dNTP from an equimolar mixture of all four dNTPs was 24.7 microM. The kcat. value was about 1.05 s-1. The kcat./Km value was 0.16-0.18 M-1.s-1 for individual dNTPs and 0.04 for the incorporation of an equimolar mixture of all four dNTPs. Some of the properties of the enzyme show it may be classified as an alpha-Type DNA polymerase.

Exonuclease activities associated with DNA polymerases alpha and beta of the archaebacterium Halobacterium halobium

alpha-like and beta-like DNA polymerases have previously been isolated from a halophilic archaebacterium Halobacterium halobium. In this report, we show that the alpha-like DNA polymerase has an associated 3' to 5'-exonuclease activity which is specific for single-stranded DNA, sensitive to both aphidicolin and N-ethylmaleimide and dependent on high salt concentrations like the polymerase activity. As this DNA polymerase has been shown to contain a primase activity, it may be considered as the equivalent to both eukaryotic DNA polymerases alpha and delta. As shown by glycerol-gradient centrifugation and electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, the beta-like polymerase would appear to have a monomeric structure and comprise of a single 65-kDa polypeptide. This DNA polymerase has both 3' to 5'-exonuclease and 5' to 3'-exonuclease activities which, contrary to polymerase activity, are inhibited by high salt concentrations.

Reverse transcriptase in archaebacteria. Purification and characterization of a primase-reverse-transcriptase complex from Halobacterium halobium

A primase-reverse-transcriptase of Halobacterium halobium was purified by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, hydroxyapatite and carboxymethyl-cellulose, followed by sedimentation on a glycerol gradient. The enzyme is a multifunctional enzyme containing reverse transcriptase. DNA polymerase and RNase H activities and does not require a performed primer to initiate DNA synthesis. Using a single-stranded DNA as template, this enzyme synthesizes oligonucleotides (8-12 bases) that can be used a primer by Escherichia coli DNA nucleotidyltransferase I (DNA polymerase I, Klenow fragment). Two polypeptides of 67 and 57 kDa were found after 14750-fold purification of the enzyme.

Deoxyribonucleotide analogs as inhibitors and substrates of DNA polymerases

Inhibitory and substrate properties of analogs of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates toward DNA polymerases are reviewed. A general introduction is followed by a description of DNA polymerases and the reaction that they catalyze, and sites at which substrate analogs may inhibit them. Effects of modifications in the major family of compounds, nucleotide derivatives, at the base, sugar and triphosphate portions of the molecule, are summarized with respect to retention of substrate properties and generation of inhibitory properties. Structure-activity relationships and the basis of selectivity in the second family of compounds, deoxyribonucleotide mimics, are also presented. Conclusions are drawn regarding the structural basis of inhibitor selectivity and mechanism, relationship between in vitro and in vivo effects of inhibitors, and the promise of inhibitors as probes for study of active sites of DNA polymerases.

Protein-primed replication of bacteriophage PRD1 genome in vitro

A cell-free system has been developed from cells of an Escherichia coli strain, carrying cloned genes 1 and 8 of bacteriophage PRD1, that catalyzes protein-primed DNA synthesis. DNA synthesis in vitro is entirely dependent upon the addition of PRD1 DNA-protein complex as template, Mg2+, and four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. No in vitro DNA synthesis was observed when deproteinized PRD1 DNA was used as template. The origin and direction of PRD1 DNA replication in vitro was determined by restriction enzyme analysis of 32P-labeled PRD1 DNA synthesized in this system. Replication starts at both ends of the linear PRD1 DNA template. Alkaline sucrose gradient centrifugation and agarose gel electrophoresis showed that full-length PRD1 DNA is synthesized in vitro. DNA synthesis in this system is inhibited by the drug aphidicolin. We also observed that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) stimulates in vitro DNA synthesis, although it inhibits bacterial DNA polymerase.

Thermostable DNA polymerase from the archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Purification, characterization and immunological properties

We have purified to near homogeneity a DNA polymerase from the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme revealed a polypeptide of 100 kDa. On the basis of a Stokes radius of 4.2 nm and a sedimentation coefficient of 6 S, the purified enzyme has an estimated molecular mass of 109 kDa. These results are consistent with the enzyme being a monomer of 100 kDa. In addition a polyclonal antiserum, obtained by injection of the electroeluted 100-kDa polypeptide into a rabbit, specifically neutralized the DNA-polymerase activity. The enzyme is sensitive to both N-ethylmaleimide and 2',3'-dideoxyribosylthymine triphosphate and resistant to aphidicolin. The purified DNA polymerase has neither exonuclease nor primase activities. In our in vitro conditions, the enzyme is thermostable up to 80 degrees C and is active between 55 degrees C and 85 degrees C in the presence of activated calf-thymus DNA.

Gene structure, organization, and expression in archaebacteria

Major advances have recently been made in understanding the molecular biology of the archaebacteria. In this review, we compare the structure of protein and stable RNA-encoding genes cloned and sequenced from each of the major classes of archaebacteria: the methanogens, extreme halophiles, and acid thermophiles. Protein-encoding genes, including some encoding proteins directly involved in methanogenesis and photoautotrophy, are analyzed on the basis of gene organization and structure, transcriptional control signals, codon usage, and evolutionary conservation. Stable RNA-encoding genes are compared for gene organization and structure, transcriptional signals, and processing events involved in RNA maturation, including intron removal. Comparisons of archaebacterial structures and regulatory systems are made with their eubacterial and eukaryotic homologs.

DNA primase activity found in an alpha-like DNA polymerase obtained from Halobacterium halobium

An aphidicolin-sensitive DNA polymerase was purified from extracts of Halobacterium halobium. The analysis of this alpha-like DNA polymerase on polyacrylamide gels under denaturing conditions revealed two peptides with molecular masses of 70 kDa and 60 kDa in equal amounts. Like the DNA polymerase alpha isolated from eukaryotes, the alpha-like DNA polymerase possesses primase activity using UTP and polydeoxyadenylate as template. The primase activity was sensitive to aphidicolin and inhibited by an antiserum against the alpha-like DNA polymerase of H. halobium. The primase activity was dependent on the presence of high salt concentrations.

Stimulation of an alpha like DNA polymerase by v-myc related protein of Halobacterium halobium

Partial DNA sequencing of a genomic clone of the archaebacterium Halobacterium halobium, which hybridized with an avian v-myc probe, showed especially the presence, in the organism of one of the conserved regions through myb, myc and adenovirus E1a oncogenes. The archaebacterial deduced amino acid sequence displayed significant homology with the v-myc gene product. In accordance with the partial DNA sequencing which assured a sufficient homology to have similar epitopes, a protein having a molecular weight of 70,000 and possessing high antigenicity with a polyclonal antiserum against avian v-myc protein was isolated and purified from H. halobium extracts. The purified v-myc like protein stimulated in vitro DNA synthesis carried out by the alpha like DNA polymerase of H. halobium.