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Nautiyal A, Thakur M. Prokaryotic DNA Crossroads: Holliday Junction Formation and Resolution. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:12515-12538. [PMID: 38524412 PMCID: PMC10956419 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Cells are continually exposed to a multitude of internal and external stressors, which give rise to various types of DNA damage. To protect the integrity of their genetic material, cells are equipped with a repertoire of repair proteins that engage in various repair mechanisms, facilitated by intricate networks of protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. Among these networks is the homologous recombination (HR) system, a molecular repair mechanism conserved in all three domains of life. On one hand, HR ensures high-fidelity, template-dependent DNA repair, while on the other hand, it results in the generation of combinatorial genetic variations through allelic exchange. Despite substantial progress in understanding this pathway in bacteria, yeast, and humans, several critical questions remain unanswered, including the molecular processes leading to the exchange of DNA segments, the coordination of protein binding, conformational switching during branch migration, and the resolution of Holliday Junctions (HJs). This Review delves into our current understanding of the HR pathway in bacteria, shedding light on the roles played by various proteins or their complexes at different stages of HR. In the first part of this Review, we provide a brief overview of the end resection processes and the strand-exchange reaction, offering a concise depiction of the mechanisms that culminate in the formation of HJs. In the latter half, we expound upon the alternative methods of branch migration and HJ resolution more comprehensively and holistically, considering the historical research timelines. Finally, when we consolidate our knowledge about HR within the broader context of genome replication and the emergence of resistant species, it becomes evident that the HR pathway is indispensable for the survival of bacteria in diverse ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astha Nautiyal
- Department
of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Manoj Thakur
- Sri
Venkateswara College, Benito Juarez Road, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, India
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2
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Kaczmarczyk AP, Déclais AC, Newton MD, Boulton SJ, Lilley DMJ, Rueda DS. Search and processing of Holliday junctions within long DNA by junction-resolving enzymes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5921. [PMID: 36207294 PMCID: PMC9547003 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33503-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Resolution of Holliday junctions is a critical intermediate step of homologous recombination in which junctions are processed by junction-resolving endonucleases. Although binding and cleavage are well understood, the question remains how the enzymes locate their substrate within long duplex DNA. Here we track fluorescent dimers of endonuclease I on DNA, presenting the complete single-molecule reaction trajectory for a junction-resolving enzyme finding and cleaving a Holliday junction. We show that the enzyme binds remotely to dsDNA and then undergoes 1D diffusion. Upon encountering a four-way junction, a catalytically-impaired mutant remains bound at that point. An active enzyme, however, cleaves the junction after a few seconds. Quantitative analysis provides a comprehensive description of the facilitated diffusion mechanism. We show that the eukaryotic junction-resolving enzyme GEN1 also undergoes facilitated diffusion on dsDNA until it becomes located at a junction, so that the general resolution trajectory is probably applicable to many junction resolving enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur P Kaczmarczyk
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Single Molecule Imaging Group, MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Matthew D Newton
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Single Molecule Imaging Group, MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, W12 0NN, UK
- DSB Repair Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Simon J Boulton
- DSB Repair Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - David M J Lilley
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
| | - David S Rueda
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Single Molecule Imaging Group, MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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The extracellular DNA lattice of bacterial biofilms is structurally related to Holliday junction recombination intermediates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:25068-25077. [PMID: 31767757 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1909017116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is a critical component of the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilms that protects the resident bacteria from environmental hazards, which includes imparting significantly greater resistance to antibiotics and host immune effectors. eDNA is organized into a lattice-like structure, stabilized by the DNABII family of proteins, known to have high affinity and specificity for Holliday junctions (HJs). Accordingly, we demonstrated that the branched eDNA structures present within the biofilms formed by NTHI in the middle ear of the chinchilla in an experimental otitis media model, and in sputum samples recovered from cystic fibrosis patients that contain multiple mixed bacterial species, possess an HJ-like configuration. Next, we showed that the prototypic Escherichia coli HJ-specific DNA-binding protein RuvA could be functionally exchanged for DNABII proteins in the stabilization of biofilms formed by 3 diverse human pathogens, uropathogenic E. coli, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus epidermidis Importantly, while replacement of DNABII proteins within the NTHI biofilm matrix with RuvA was shown to retain similar mechanical properties when compared to the control NTHI biofilm structure, we also demonstrated that biofilm eDNA matrices stabilized by RuvA could be subsequently undermined upon addition of the HJ resolvase complex, RuvABC, which resulted in significant biofilm disruption. Collectively, our data suggested that nature has recapitulated a functional equivalent of the HJ recombination intermediate to maintain the structural integrity of bacterial biofilms.
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Liu Y, Freeman A, Déclais AC, Gartner A, Lilley DMJ. Biochemical and Structural Properties of Fungal Holliday Junction-Resolving Enzymes. Methods Enzymol 2018; 600:543-568. [PMID: 29458774 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2017.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Four-way Holliday junctions in DNA are the central intermediates of genetic recombination and must be processed into regular duplex species. One mechanism for achieving this is called resolution, brought about by structure-selective nucleases. GEN1 is an important junction-resolving enzyme in eukaryotic cells, a member of the FEN1/EXO1 superfamily of nucleases. While human GEN1 is difficult to work with because of aggregation, orthologs from thermophilic fungi have been identified using bioinformatics and have proved to have excellent properties. Here, the expression and purification of this enzyme from Chaetomium thermophilum is described, together with the means of investigating its biochemical properties. The enzyme is quite similar to junction-resolving enzymes from lower organisms, binding to junctions in dimeric form, introducing symmetrical bilateral cleavages, the second of which is accelerated to promote productive resolution. Crystallization of C. thermophilum GEN1 is described, and the structure of a DNA-product complex. Juxtaposition of complexes in the crystal lattice suggests how the structure of a dimeric enzyme with an intact junction is organized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijin Liu
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, The University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Alasdair Freeman
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, The University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Cécile Déclais
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, The University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Anton Gartner
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, The University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - David M J Lilley
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, The University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
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Lilley DMJ. Holliday junction-resolving enzymes-structures and mechanisms. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:1073-1082. [PMID: 27990631 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Holliday junction-resolving enzymes are nucleases that are highly specific for the structure of the junction, to which they bind in dimeric form. Two symmetrically disposed cleavages are made. These are not simultaneous, but the second cleavage is accelerated relative to the first, so ensuring that bilateral cleavage occurs during the lifetime of the DNA-protein complex. In eukaryotic cells there are two known junction-resolving activities. GEN1 is similar to enzymes from lower organisms. A crystallographic structure of a fungal GEN1 bound to the product of resolution has been determined. These complexes are dimerized within the crystal lattice such that the strands of the products may be simply reconnected to form a junction. These structures suggest a trajectory for the resolution process.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M J Lilley
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, The University of Dundee, UK
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Chan YW, West S. GEN1 promotes Holliday junction resolution by a coordinated nick and counter-nick mechanism. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:10882-92. [PMID: 26578604 PMCID: PMC4678824 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Holliday junctions (HJs) that physically link sister chromatids or homologous chromosomes are formed as intermediates during DNA repair by homologous recombination. Persistent recombination intermediates are acted upon by structure-selective endonucleases that are required for proper chromosome segregation at mitosis. Here, we have purified full-length human GEN1 protein and show that it promotes Holliday junction resolution by a mechanism that is analogous to that exhibited by the prototypic HJ resolvase E. coli RuvC. We find that GEN1 cleaves HJs by a nick and counter-nick mechanism involving dual co-ordinated incisions that lead to the formation of ligatable nicked duplex products. As observed with RuvC, cleavage of the first strand is rate limiting, while second strand cleavage is rapid. In contrast to RuvC, however, GEN1 is largely monomeric in solution, but dimerizes on the HJ. Using HJs containing non-cleavable phosphorothioate-containing linkages in one strand, we show that the two incisions can be uncoupled and that the first nick occurs upon GEN1 dimerization at the junction. These results indicate that the mechanism of HJ resolution is largely conserved from bacteria to man, despite a lack of sequence homology between the resolvases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wai Chan
- Francis Crick Institute, Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Herts EN6 3LD, UK
| | - Stephen West
- Francis Crick Institute, Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Herts EN6 3LD, UK
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Liu Y, Freeman ADJ, Déclais AC, Wilson TJ, Gartner A, Lilley DMJ. Crystal Structure of a Eukaryotic GEN1 Resolving Enzyme Bound to DNA. Cell Rep 2015; 13:2565-2575. [PMID: 26686639 PMCID: PMC4695337 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the crystal structure of the junction-resolving enzyme GEN1 bound to DNA at 2.5 Å resolution. The structure of the GEN1 protein reveals it to have an elaborated FEN-XPG family fold that is modified for its role in four-way junction resolution. The functional unit in the crystal is a monomer of active GEN1 bound to the product of resolution cleavage, with an extensive DNA binding interface for both helical arms. Within the crystal lattice, a GEN1 dimer interface juxtaposes two products, whereby they can be reconnected into a four-way junction, the structure of which agrees with that determined in solution. The reconnection requires some opening of the DNA structure at the center, in agreement with permanganate probing and 2-aminopurine fluorescence. The structure shows that a relaxation of the DNA structure accompanies cleavage, suggesting how second-strand cleavage is accelerated to ensure productive resolution of the junction. GEN1 crystallized with a resolution product containing two perpendicular DNA helices GEN1 shares the FEN1 superfamily fold, with a two-metal ion-containing active site GEN1 forms a dimer that juxtaposes two products in a substrate-like complex A resulting model of a GEN1-junction complex is supported by solution experiments
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijin Liu
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Alasdair D J Freeman
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Anne-Cécile Déclais
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Timothy J Wilson
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Anton Gartner
- Center for Gene Regulation and Expression, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David M J Lilley
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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Freeman ADJ, Liu Y, Déclais AC, Gartner A, Lilley DMJ. GEN1 from a thermophilic fungus is functionally closely similar to non-eukaryotic junction-resolving enzymes. J Mol Biol 2014; 426:3946-3959. [PMID: 25315822 PMCID: PMC4270448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Processing of Holliday junctions is essential in recombination. We have identified the gene for the junction-resolving enzyme GEN1 from the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum and expressed the N-terminal 487-amino-acid section. The protein is a nuclease that is highly selective for four-way DNA junctions, cleaving 1nt 3' to the point of strand exchange on two strands symmetrically disposed about a diagonal axis. CtGEN1 binds to DNA junctions as a discrete homodimer with nanomolar affinity. Analysis of the kinetics of cruciform cleavage shows that cleavage of the second strand occurs an order of magnitude faster than the first cleavage so as to generate a productive resolution event. All these properties are closely similar to those described for bacterial, phage and mitochondrial junction-resolving enzymes. CtGEN1 is also similar in properties to the human enzyme but lacks the problems with aggregation that currently prevent detailed analysis of the latter protein. CtGEN1 is thus an excellent enzyme with which to engage in biophysical and structural analysis of eukaryotic GEN1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alasdair D J Freeman
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Yijin Liu
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Anne-Cécile Déclais
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Anton Gartner
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David M J Lilley
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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Górecka KM, Komorowska W, Nowotny M. Crystal structure of RuvC resolvase in complex with Holliday junction substrate. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:9945-55. [PMID: 23980027 PMCID: PMC3834835 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The key intermediate in genetic recombination is the Holliday junction (HJ), a four-way DNA structure. At the end of recombination, HJs are cleaved by specific nucleases called resolvases. In Gram-negative bacteria, this cleavage is performed by RuvC, a dimeric endonuclease that belongs to the retroviral integrase superfamily. Here, we report the first crystal structure of RuvC in complex with a synthetic HJ solved at 3.75 Å resolution. The junction in the complex is in an unfolded 2-fold symmetrical conformation, in which the four arms point toward the vertices of a tetrahedron. The two scissile phosphates are located one nucleotide from the strand exchange point, and RuvC approaches them from the minor groove side. The key protein-DNA contacts observed in the structure were verified using a thiol-based site-specific cross-linking approach. Compared with known complex structures of the phage resolvases endonuclease I and endonuclease VII, the RuvC structure exhibits striking differences in the mode of substrate binding and location of the cleavage site.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marcin Nowotny
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 4 Trojdena Street, 02-109, Warsaw, Poland
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10
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Freeman ADJ, Déclais AC, Lilley DMJ. The importance of the N-terminus of T7 endonuclease I in the interaction with DNA junctions. J Mol Biol 2012. [PMID: 23207296 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2012.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
T7 endonuclease I is a dimeric nuclease that is selective for four-way DNA junctions. Previous crystallographic studies have found that the N-terminal 16 amino acids are not visible, neither in the presence nor in the absence of DNA. We have now investigated the effect of deleting the N-terminus completely or partially. N-terminal deleted enzyme binds more tightly to DNA junctions but cleaves them more slowly. While deletion of the N-terminus does not measurably affect the global structure of the complex, the presence of the peptide is required to generate a local opening at the center of the DNA junction that is observed by 2-aminopurine fluorescence. Complete deletion of the peptide leads to a cleavage rate that is 3 orders of magnitude slower and an activation enthalpy that is 3-fold higher, suggesting that the most important interaction of the peptide is with the reaction transition state. Taken together, these data point to an important role of the N-terminus in generating a central opening of the junction that is required for the cleavage reaction to proceed properly. In the absence of this, we find that a cruciform junction is no longer subject to bilateral cleavage, but instead, just one strand is cleaved. Thus, the N-terminus is required for a productive resolution of the junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alasdair D J Freeman
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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Rodrigue A, Coulombe Y, Jacquet K, Gagné JP, Roques C, Gobeil S, Poirier G, Masson JY. The RAD51 paralogs ensure cellular protection against mitotic defects and aneuploidy. J Cell Sci 2012; 126:348-59. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.114595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interplay between homologous DNA recombination and mitotic progression is poorly understood. The five RAD51 paralogs (RAD51B, -C, -D, XRCC2, XRCC3) are key enzymes for DNA double-strand break repair. In our search for specific functions of the various RAD51 paralogs, we found that inhibition of XRCC3 elicits checkpoint defects, while inhibition of RAD51B and RAD51C induces G2/M cell cycle arrest in Hela cells. Using live-cell microscopy we show that XRCC3-knockdown cells displayed persistent spindle assembly checkpoint and a higher frequency of chromosome misalignments, anaphase bridges, and aneuploidy. We observed centrosome defects in the absence of XRCC3. While RAD51B and RAD51C act early in HR, XRCC3 functions jointly with GEN1 later in the pathway at the stage of Holliday junction resolution. Our data demonstrate that Holliday junction resolution has critical functions for preventing aberrant mitosis and aneuploidy in mitotic cells.
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Holliday junction-containing DNA structures persist in cells lacking Sgs1 or Top3 following exposure to DNA damage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:4944-9. [PMID: 21383164 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1014240108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sgs1-Rmi1-Top3 "dissolvasome" is required for the maintenance of genome stability and has been implicated in the processing of various types of DNA structures arising during DNA replication. Previous investigations have revealed that unprocessed (X-shaped) homologous recombination repair (HRR) intermediates persist when S-phase is perturbed by using methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells with impaired Sgs1 or Top3. However, the precise nature of these persistent DNA structures remains poorly characterized. Here, we report that ectopic expression of either of two heterologous and structurally unrelated Holliday junction (HJ) resolvases, Escherichia coli RusA or human GEN1(1-527), promotes the removal of these X-structures in vivo. Moreover, other types of DNA replication intermediates, including stalled replication forks and non-HRR-dependent X-structures, are refractory to RusA or GEN1(1-527), demonstrating specificity of these HJ resolvases for MMS-induced X-structures in vivo. These data suggest that the X-structures persisting in cells with impaired Sgs1 or Top3 contain HJs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Sgs1 directly promotes X-structure removal, because the persistent structures arising in Sgs1-deficient strains are eliminated when Sgs1 is reactivated in vivo. We propose that HJ resolvases and Sgs1-Top3-Rmi1 comprise two independent processes to deal with HJ-containing DNA intermediates arising during HRR in S-phase.
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Pathways for Holliday junction processing during homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mol Cell Biol 2011; 31:1921-33. [PMID: 21343337 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01130-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rmi1 protein is a component of the highly conserved Sgs1-Top3-Rmi1 complex. Deletion of SGS1, TOP3, or RMI1 is synthetically lethal when combined with the loss of the Mus81-Mms4 or Slx1-Slx4 endonucleases, which have been implicated in Holliday junction (HJ) resolution. To investigate the causes of this synthetic lethality, we isolated a temperature-sensitive mutant of the RMI1 strain, referred to as the rmi1-1 mutant. At the restrictive temperature, this mutant phenocopies an rmi1Δ strain but behaves like the wild type at the permissive temperature. Following a transient exposure to methyl methanesulfonate, rmi1-1 mutants accumulate unprocessed homologous recombination repair (HRR) intermediates. These intermediates are slowly resolved at the restrictive temperature, revealing a redundant resolution activity when Rmi1 is impaired. This resolution depends on Mus81-Mms4 but not on either Slx1-Slx4 or another HJ resolvase, Yen1. Similar results were also observed when Top3 function was impaired. We propose that the Sgs1-Top3-Rmi1 complex constitutes the main pathway for the processing of HJ-containing HRR intermediates but that Mus81-Mms4 can also resolve these intermediates.
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TRF2 promotes, remodels and protects telomeric Holliday junctions. EMBO J 2009; 28:641-51. [PMID: 19197240 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2009.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2008] [Accepted: 12/22/2008] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of the telomeric DNA-binding protein, TRF2, to stimulate t-loop formation while preventing t-loop deletion is believed to be crucial to maintain telomere integrity in mammals. However, little is known on the molecular mechanisms behind these properties of TRF2. In this report, we show that TRF2 greatly increases the rate of Holliday junction (HJ) formation and blocks the cleavage by various types of HJ resolving activities, including the newly identified human GEN1 protein. By using potassium permanganate probing and differential scanning calorimetry, we reveal that the basic domain of TRF2 induces structural changes to the junction. We propose that TRF2 contributes to t-loop stabilisation by stimulating HJ formation and by preventing resolvase cleavage. These findings provide novel insights into the interplay between telomere protection and homologous recombination and suggest a general model in which TRF2 maintains telomere integrity by controlling the turnover of HJ at t-loops and at regressed replication forks.
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Khanduja JS, Tripathi P, Muniyappa K. Mycobacterium tuberculosis RuvA induces two distinct types of structural distortions between the homologous and heterologous Holliday junctions. Biochemistry 2009; 48:27-40. [PMID: 19072585 DOI: 10.1021/bi8016526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A central step in the process of homologous genetic recombination is the strand exchange between two homologous DNA molecules, leading to the formation of the Holliday junction intermediate. Several lines of evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, suggest a concerted role for the Escherichia coli RuvABC protein complex in the process of branch migration and the resolution of the Holliday junctions. A number of investigations have examined the role of RuvA protein in branch migration of the Holliday junction in conjunction with its natural cellular partner, RuvB. However, it remains unclear whether the RuvABC protein complex or its individual subunits function differently in the context of DNA repair and homologous recombination. In this study, we have specifically investigated the function of RuvA protein using Holliday junctions containing either homologous or heterologous arms. Our data show that Mycobacterium tuberculosis ruvA complements E. coli DeltaruvA mutants for survival to genotoxic stress caused by different DNA-damaging agents, and the purified RuvA protein binds HJ in preference to any other substrates. Strikingly, our analysis revealed two distinct types of structural distortions caused by M. tuberculosis RuvA between the homologous and heterologous Holliday junctions. We interpret these data as evidence that local distortion of base pairing in the arms of homologous Holliday junctions by RuvA might augment branch migration catalyzed by RuvB. The biological significance of two modes of structural distortion caused by M. tuberculosis RuvA and the implications for its role in DNA repair and homologous recombination are discussed.
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16
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Culyba MJ, Hwang Y, Minkah N, Bushman FD. DNA binding and cleavage by the fowlpox virus resolvase. J Biol Chem 2008; 284:1190-201. [PMID: 19004818 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m807864200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The first steps of poxvirus DNA synthesis yield concatemeric arrays of covalently linked genomes. The virus-encoded Holliday junction resolvase is required to process concatemers into unit-length genomes for packaging. Previous studies of the vaccinia virus resolvase have been problematic due to poor protein solubility. We found that fowlpox virus resolvase was much more tractable. Fowlpox resolvase formed complexes with a variety of branched DNA substrates, but not linear DNA, and had the highest affinity for a Holliday junction substrate, illustrating a previously unappreciated affinity for Holliday junctions over other substrates. The cleavage activity was monitored in fixed time assays, showing that, as with vaccinia resolvase, the fowlpox enzyme could cleave a wide array of branched DNA substrates. Single turnover kinetic analysis revealed the Holliday junction substrate was cleaved 90-fold faster than a splayed duplex substrate containing a single to double strand transition. Multiple turnover kinetic analysis, however, showed that the cleavage step was not limiting for the full reaction cycle. Cleavage by resolvase was also tightly coupled at symmetrical positions across the junction, and coupling required the complete Holliday junction structure. Last, we found that cleavage of an extruded cruciform yielded a product, which after treatment with ligase, had the properties expected for covalently closed DNA hairpin ends, as is seen for poxvirus genome monomers. These findings provide a tractable poxvirus resolvase usable for the development of small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Culyba
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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17
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Déclais AC, Lilley DM. New insight into the recognition of branched DNA structure by junction-resolving enzymes. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2007; 18:86-95. [PMID: 18160275 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2007.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2007] [Revised: 10/24/2007] [Accepted: 11/06/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Junction-resolving enzymes are nucleases that exhibit structural selectivity for the four-way (Holliday) junction in DNA. In general, these enzymes both recognize and distort the structure of the junction. New insight into the molecular recognition processes has been provided by two recent co-crystal structures of resolving enzymes bound to four-way DNA junctions in highly contrasting ways. T4 endonuclease VII binds the junction in an open conformation to an approximately flat binding surface whereas T7 endonuclease I envelops the junction, which retains a much more three-dimensional structure. Both proteins make contacts with the DNA backbone over an extensive area in order to generate structural specificity. The comparison highlights the versatility of Holliday junction resolution, and extracts some general principles of recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Cécile Déclais
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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18
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Macmaster R, Sedelnikova S, Baker PJ, Bolt EL, Lloyd RG, Rafferty JB. RusA Holliday junction resolvase: DNA complex structure--insights into selectivity and specificity. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:5577-84. [PMID: 17028102 PMCID: PMC1636454 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We have determined the structure of a catalytically inactive D70N variant of the Escherichia coli RusA resolvase bound to a duplex DNA substrate that reveals critical protein-DNA interactions and permits a much clearer understanding of the interaction of the enzyme with a Holliday junction (HJ). The RusA enzyme cleaves HJs, the fourway DNA branchpoints formed by homologous recombination, by introducing symmetrical cuts in the phosphodiester backbone in a Mg2+ dependent reaction. Although, RusA shows a high level of selectivity for DNA junctions, preferring to bind fourway junctions over other substrates in vitro, it has also been shown to have appreciable affinity for duplex DNA. However, RusA does not show DNA cleavage activity with duplex substrates. Our structure suggests the possible basis for structural selectivity as well as sources of the sequence specificity observed for DNA cleavage by RusA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Edward L. Bolt
- Institute of Genetics, University of NottinghamQueen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Robert G. Lloyd
- Institute of Genetics, University of NottinghamQueen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - John B. Rafferty
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +44 114 222 2809; Fax: +44 114 222 2800;
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19
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Tripathi P, Anuradha S, Ghosal G, Muniyappa K. Selective binding of meiosis-specific yeast Hop1 protein to the holliday junctions distorts the DNA structure and its implications for junction migration and resolution. J Mol Biol 2006; 364:599-611. [PMID: 17027027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2006.08.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2006] [Revised: 08/27/2006] [Accepted: 08/31/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Saccharomyces cerevisiae HOP1, which encodes a component of synaptonemal complex (SC), plays an important role in both gene conversion and crossing over between homologs, as well as enforces meiotic recombination checkpoint control over the progression of recombination intermediates. In hop1Delta mutants, meiosis-specific double-strand breaks (DSBs) are reduced to 10% of the wild-type level, and at aberrantly late times, these DSBs are processed into inter-sister recombination intermediates. However, the underlying mechanism by which Hop1 protein regulates these nuclear events remains obscure. Here we show that Hop1 protein interacts selectively with the Holliday junction, changes its global conformation and blocks the dissolution of the junction by a RecQ helicase. The Holliday junction-Hop1 protein complexes are significantly more stable at higher ionic strengths and molar excess of unlabeled competitor DNA than complexes containing other recombination intermediates. Structural analysis of the Holliday junction using 2-aminopurine fluorescence emission, DNase I footprinting and KMnO4 probing provide compelling evidence that Hop1 protein binding induces significant distortion at the center of the Holliday junction. We propose that Hop1 protein might coordinate the physical monitoring of meiotic recombination intermediates with the process of branch migration of Holliday junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Tripathi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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20
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Déclais AC, Liu J, Freeman ADJ, Lilley DMJ. Structural recognition between a four-way DNA junction and a resolving enzyme. J Mol Biol 2006; 359:1261-76. [PMID: 16690083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2006.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2006] [Revised: 04/05/2006] [Accepted: 04/14/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Resolving enzymes bind highly selectively to four-way DNA junctions, but the mechanism of this structural specificity is poorly understood. In this study, we have explored the role of interactions between the dimeric enzyme and the helical arms of the junction, using junctions with either shortened arms, or circular permutation of arms. We find that DNA-protein contacts in the arms containing the 5' ends of the continuous strands are very important, conferring a significant level of sequence discrimination upon both the choice of conformer and the order of strand cleavage. We have exploited these properties to obtain hydroxyl radical footprinting data on endonuclease I-junction complexes that are not complicated by the presence of alternative conformers, with results that are in good agreement with the arm permutation and shortening experiments. Substitution of phosphate groups at the center of the junction reveals the importance of electrostatic interactions at the point of strand exchange in the complex. Our data show that the form of the complex between endonuclease I and a DNA junction depends on the core of the junction and on interactions with the first six base-pairs of the arms containing the 5' ends of the continuous strands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Cécile Déclais
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee
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21
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Abstract
The crystal structure of the four-stranded DNA Holliday junction has now been determined in the presence and absence of junction binding proteins, with the extended open-X form of the junction seen in all protein complexes, but the more compact stacked-X structure observed in free DNA. The structures of the stacked-X junction were crystallized because of an unexpected sequence dependence on the stability of this structure. Inverted repeat sequences that contain the general motif NCC or ANC favor formation of stacked-X junctions, with the junction cross-over occurring between the first two positions of the trinucleotides. This review focuses on the sequence dependent structure of the stacked-X junction and how it may play a role in structural recognition by a class of dimeric junction resolving enzymes that themselves show no direct sequence recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A. Khuu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-7305, USA
| | - Andrea Regier Voth
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-7305, USA
| | | | - P. Shing Ho
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-7305, USA
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22
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Garcia AD, Otero J, Lebowitz J, Schuck P, Moss B. Quaternary structure and cleavage specificity of a poxvirus holliday junction resolvase. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:11618-26. [PMID: 16513635 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m600182200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, poxviruses were found to encode a protein with signature motifs present in the RuvC family of Holliday junction (HJ) resolvases, which have a key role in homologous recombination in bacteria. The vaccinia virus homolog A22 specifically cleaved synthetic HJ DNA in vitro and was required for the in vivo resolution of viral DNA concatemers into unit-length genomes with hairpin telomeres. It was of interest to further characterize a poxvirus resolvase in view of the low sequence similarity with RuvC, the absence of virus-encoded RuvA and RuvB to interact with, and the different functions of the viral and bacterial resolvases. Because purified A22 aggregated severely, studies were carried out with maltose-binding protein fused to A22 as well as to RuvC. Using gel filtration, chemical cross-linking, analytical ultracentrifugation, and light scattering, we demonstrated that A22 and RuvC are homodimers in solution. Furthermore, the dimeric form of the resolvase associated with HJ DNA, presumably facilitating the symmetrical cleavage of such structures. Like RuvC, A22 symmetrically cleaved fixed HJ junctions as well as junctions allowing strand mobility. Unlike RuvC and other members of the family, however, the poxvirus enzyme exhibited little cleavage sequence specificity. Structural and enzymatic similarities of poxvirus, bacterial, and fungal mitochondrial HJ resolvases are consistent with their predicted evolutionary relationship based on sequence analysis. The absence of a homologous resolvase in mammalian cells makes these microbial enzymes excellent potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alonzo D Garcia
- Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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23
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Parker JL, White MF. The endonuclease Hje catalyses rapid, multiple turnover resolution of Holliday junctions. J Mol Biol 2005; 350:1-6. [PMID: 15921693 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2005.04.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2005] [Revised: 04/20/2005] [Accepted: 04/26/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Holliday junction-resolving enzymes are ubiquitous, structure-specific endonucleases that resolve four-way DNA junctions by the introduction of paired nicks in opposing strands, and are required for homologous recombination, double-strand break repair, recombination-dependent restart of stalled or collapsed DNA replication forks, and phage DNA processing. Here, we present the first steady-state kinetic characterisation of a junction-resolving enzyme; the Hje endonuclease from Sulfolobus solfataricus. We demonstrate that substrate turnover by Hje is sequence-independent and limited largely by the rate of cleavage of the phosphodiester bonds of the bound Holliday junction substrate, rather than substrate association or product dissociation. Reaction rates under multiple turnover conditions compare favourably with type II restriction enzymes. These properties, coupled with a high level of specificity for four-way junctions over all other DNA substrates, make Hje a suitable enzyme for applications requiring the detection and cleavage of Holliday junctions in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L Parker
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK
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24
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Buchner JM, Robertson AE, Poynter DJ, Denniston SS, Karls AC. Piv site-specific invertase requires a DEDD motif analogous to the catalytic center of the RuvC Holliday junction resolvases. J Bacteriol 2005; 187:3431-7. [PMID: 15866929 PMCID: PMC1112027 DOI: 10.1128/jb.187.10.3431-3437.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Piv, a unique prokaryotic site-specific DNA invertase, is related to transposases of the insertion elements from the IS110/IS492 family and shows no similarity to the site-specific recombinases of the tyrosine- or serine-recombinase families. Piv tertiary structure is predicted to include the RNase H-like fold that typically encompasses the catalytic site of the recombinases or nucleases of the retroviral integrase superfamily, including transposases and RuvC-like Holliday junction resolvases. Analogous to the DDE and DEDD catalytic motifs of transposases and RuvC, respectively, four Piv acidic residues D9, E59, D101, and D104 appear to be positioned appropriately within the RNase H fold to coordinate two divalent metal cations. This suggests mechanistic similarity between site-specific inversion mediated by Piv and transposition or endonucleolytic reactions catalyzed by enzymes of the retroviral integrase superfamily. The role of the DEDD motif in Piv catalytic activity was addressed using Piv variants that are substituted individually or multiply at these acidic residues and assaying for in vivo inversion, intermolecular recombination, and DNA binding activities. The results indicate that all four residues of the DEDD motif are required for Piv catalytic activity. The DEDD residues are not essential for inv recombination site recognition and binding, but this acidic tetrad does appear to contribute to the stability of Piv-inv interactions. On the basis of these results, a working model for Piv-mediated inversion that includes resolution of a Holliday junction is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Buchner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2605, USA
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25
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Curtis FA, Reed P, Sharples GJ. Evolution of a phage RuvC endonuclease for resolution of both Holliday and branched DNA junctions. Mol Microbiol 2004; 55:1332-45. [PMID: 15720544 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2004.04476.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Resolution of Holliday junction recombination intermediates in most Gram-negative bacteria is accomplished by the RuvC endonuclease acting in concert with the RuvAB branch migration machinery. Gram-positive species, however, lack RuvC, with the exception of distantly related orthologues from bacteriophages infecting Lactococci and Streptococci. We have purified one of these proteins, 67RuvC, from Lactococcus lactis phage bIL67 and demonstrated that it functions as a Holliday structure resolvase. Differences in the sequence selectivity of resolution between 67RuvC and Escherichia coli RuvC were noted, although both enzymes prefer to cleave 3' of thymidine residues. However, unlike its cellular counterpart, 67RuvC readily binds and cleaves a variety of branched DNA substrates in addition to Holliday junctions. Plasmids expressing 67RuvC induce chromosomal breaks, probably as a consequence of replication fork cleavage, and cannot be recovered from recombination-defective E. coli strains. Despite these deleterious effects, 67RuvC constructs suppress the UV light sensitivity of ruvA, ruvAB and ruvABC mutant strains confirming that the phage protein mediates Holliday junction resolution in vivo. The characterization of 67RuvC offers a unique insight into how a Holliday junction-specific resolvase can evolve into a debranching endonuclease tailored to the requirements of phage recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona A Curtis
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Wolfson Research Institute, University of Durham, Queen's Campus, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BH, UK
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26
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Liu J, Déclais AC, Lilley DMJ. Electrostatic Interactions and the Folding of the Four-way DNA Junction: Analysis by Selective Methyl Phosphonate Substitution. J Mol Biol 2004; 343:851-64. [PMID: 15476805 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2004.08.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2004] [Revised: 08/24/2004] [Accepted: 08/25/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The structure and dynamics of the four-way (Holliday) junction are strongly dependent on the presence of metal ions. In this study, the importance of phosphate charge in and around the point of strand exchange has been explored by selective replacement with electrically neutral methyl phosphonate groups, guided by crystal structures of the junction in the folded, stacked X conformation. Junction conformation has been analysed by comparative gel electrophoresis and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Three of sets of phosphate groups on the exchanging strands have been analysed; those at the point of strand exchange and those to their 3' and 5' sides. The exchanging and 3' phosphate groups form a box of negatively charged groups on the minor groove face of the junction, while the 5' phosphate groups face each other on the major groove side, with their proR oxygen atoms directed at one another. The largest effects are observed on substitution of the exchanging phosphate groups; replacement of both groups leads to the loss of the requirement for addition of metal ions to allow junction folding. When the equivalent phosphate groups on the continuous strands were substituted, a proportion of the junction folded into the alternative conformer so as to bring these phosphate groups onto the exchanging strands. These species did not interconvert, and thus this is likely to result from the alternative diasteromeric forms of the methyl phosphonate group. This shows that some of the conformational effects result from more than purely electrostatic interactions. Smaller but significant effects were observed on substitution of the flanking phosphate groups. All methyl phosphonate substitutions at these positions allowed folding to proceed at a reduced concentration of magnesium ions, with double substitutions more effective than single substitutions. Substitution of 5' phosphates resulted in a greater degree of folding at a given ionic concentration compared to the corresponding 3' phosphate substitutions. These results show that the phosphate groups at the point of strand exchange exert the largest electrostatic effect on junction folding, but a number of phosphate groups in the vicinity of the exchange region contribute to the overall effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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27
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Sharples GJ, Curtis FA, McGlynn P, Bolt EL. Holliday junction binding and resolution by the Rap structure-specific endonuclease of phage lambda. J Mol Biol 2004; 340:739-51. [PMID: 15223317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2004.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2004] [Revised: 05/10/2004] [Accepted: 05/12/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Rap endonuclease targets recombinant joint molecules arising from phage lambda Red-mediated genetic exchange. Previous studies revealed that Rap nicks DNA at the branch point of synthetic Holliday junctions and other DNA structures with a branched component. However, on X junctions incorporating a three base-pair core of homology or with a fixed crossover, Rap failed to make the bilateral strand cleavages characteristic of a Holliday junction resolvase. Here, we demonstrate that Rap can mediate symmetrical resolution of 50 bp and chi Holliday structures containing larger homologous cores. On two different mobile 50 bp junctions Rap displays a weak preference for cleaving the phosphodiester backbone between 5'-GC dinucleotides. The products of resolution on both large and small DNA substrates can be sealed by T4 DNA ligase, confirming the formation of nicked duplexes. Rap protein was also assessed for its capacity to influence the global conformation of junctions in the presence or absence of magnesium ions. Unlike the known Holliday junction binding proteins, Rap does not affect the angle of duplex arms, implying an unorthodox mode of junction binding. The results demonstrate that Rap can function as a Holliday junction resolvase in addition to eliminating other branched structures that may arise during phage recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary J Sharples
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Wolfson Research Institute, University of Durham, Queen's Campus, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BH, UK.
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28
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Rafferty JB, Bolt EL, Muranova TA, Sedelnikova SE, Leonard P, Pasquo A, Baker PJ, Rice DW, Sharples GJ, Lloyd RG. The Structure of Escherichia coli RusA Endonuclease Reveals a New Holliday Junction DNA Binding Fold. Structure 2003; 11:1557-67. [PMID: 14656440 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2003.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Holliday junction resolution performed by a variety of structure-specific endonucleases is a key step in DNA recombination and repair. It is believed that all resolvases carry out their reaction chemistries in a similar fashion, utilizing a divalent cation to facilitate the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester backbone of the DNA, but their architecture varies. To date, with the exception of bacteriophage T4 endonuclease VII, each of the known resolvase enzyme structures has been categorized into one of two families: the integrases and the nucleases. We have now determined the structure of the Escherichia coli RusA Holliday junction resolvase, which reveals a fourth structural class for these enzymes. The structure suggests that dimer formation is essential for Mg(2+) cation binding and hence catalysis and that like the other resolvases, RusA distorts its Holliday junction target upon binding. Key residues identified by mutagenesis experiments are well positioned to interact with the DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B Rafferty
- Krebs Institute, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom.
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29
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Ahn JS, Whitby MC. The role of the SAP motif in promoting Holliday junction binding and resolution by SpCCE1. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:29121-9. [PMID: 12748193 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m302314200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Holliday junctions are four-way branched DNA structures that are formed during recombination and by replication fork regression. Their processing depends on helicases that catalyze junction branch migration, and endonucleases that resolve the junction into nicked linear DNAs. Here we have investigated the role of a DNA binding motif called SAP in binding and resolving Holliday junctions by the fission yeast mitochondrial resolvase SpCCE1. Mutation or partial/complete deletion of the SAP motif dramatically impairs the ability of SpCCE1 to resolve Holliday junctions in a heterologous in vivo system. These mutant proteins retain the ability to recognize the junction structure and to distort it upon binding. However, once formed the mutant protein-junction complexes are relatively unstable and dissociate much faster than wild-type complexes. We show that binding stability is necessary for efficient junction resolution, and that this may be due in part to a requirement for maintaining the junction in an open conformation so that it can branch migrate to cleavable sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Sook Ahn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
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30
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Déclais AC, Fogg JM, Freeman AD, Coste F, Hadden JM, Phillips SE, Lilley DM. The complex between a four-way DNA junction and T7 endonuclease I. EMBO J 2003; 22:1398-409. [PMID: 12628932 PMCID: PMC151070 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/cdg132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The junction-resolving enzyme endonuclease I is selective for the structure of the DNA four-way (Holliday) junction. The enzyme binds to a four-way junction in two possible orientations, with a 4:1 ratio, opening the DNA structure at the centre and changing the global structure into a 90 degrees cross of approximately coaxial helices. The nuclease cleaves the continuous strands of the junction in each orientation. Binding leads to pronounced regions of protection of the DNA against hydroxyl radical attack. Using all this information together with the known structure of the enzyme and the structure of the BglI-DNA complex, we have constructed a model of the complex of endonuclease I and a DNA junction. This shows how the enzyme is selective for the structure of a four-way junction, such that both continuous strands can be accommodated into the two active sites so that a productive resolution event is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jonathan M. Hadden
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH and
Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Simon E.V. Phillips
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH and
Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - David M.J. Lilley
- Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH and
Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
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31
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Hadden JM, Déclais AC, Phillips SE, Lilley DM. Metal ions bound at the active site of the junction-resolving enzyme T7 endonuclease I. EMBO J 2002; 21:3505-15. [PMID: 12093751 PMCID: PMC126086 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/cdf337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T7 endonuclease I is a nuclease that is selective for the structure of the four-way DNA junction. The active site is similar to those of a number of restriction enzymes. We have solved the crystal structure of endonuclease I with a wild-type active site. Diffusion of manganese ions into the crystal revealed two peaks of electron density per active site, defining two metal ion-binding sites. Site 1 is fully occupied, and the manganese ion is coordinated by the carboxylate groups of Asp55 and Glu65, and the main chain carbonyl of Thr66. Site 2 is partially occupied, and the metal ion has a single protein ligand, the remaining carboxylate oxygen atom of Asp55. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed the sequential exothermic binding of two manganese ions in solution, with dissociation constants of 0.58 +/- 0.019 and 14 +/- 1.5 mM. These results are consistent with a two metal ion mechanism for the cleavage reaction, in which the hydrolytic water molecule is contained in the first coordination sphere of the site 1-bound metal ion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne-Cécile Déclais
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT and
Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
| | | | - David M.J. Lilley
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT and
Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, MSI/WTB Complex, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
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32
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Bolt EL, Lloyd RG. Substrate specificity of RusA resolvase reveals the DNA structures targeted by RuvAB and RecG in vivo. Mol Cell 2002; 10:187-98. [PMID: 12150918 DOI: 10.1016/s1097-2765(02)00560-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
RusA endonuclease cleaves Holliday junctions by introducing paired strand incisions 5' to CC dinucleotides. Coordinated catalysis is achieved when both subunits of the homodimer interact simultaneously with cleavage sites located symmetrically. This requirement confers Holliday junction specificity. Uncoupled catalysis occurs when binding interactions are disturbed. Genetic studies indicate that uncoupling occurs rarely in vivo, and DNA cleavage is therefore restricted to Holliday junctions. We exploited the specificity of RusA to identify the DNA substrates targeted by the RuvAB and RecG branch-migration proteins in vivo. We present evidence that replication restart in UV-irradiated cells relies on the processing of stalled replication forks by RecG helicase and of Holliday junctions by the RuvABC resolvasome, and that RuvAB alone may not promote repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward L Bolt
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, United Kingdom
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33
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Sharples GJ, Bolt EL, Lloyd RG. RusA proteins from the extreme thermophile Aquifex aeolicus and lactococcal phage r1t resolve Holliday junctions. Mol Microbiol 2002; 44:549-59. [PMID: 11972790 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.02916.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The RusA protein of Escherichia coli is a DNA structure-specific endonuclease that resolves Holliday junction intermediates formed during DNA replication, recombination and repair by introducing symmetrically paired incisions 5' to CC dinucleotides. It is encoded by the defective prophage DLP12, which raises the possibility that it may be of bacteriophage origin. We show that rusA-like sequences are indeed often associated with prophage sequences in the genomes of several bacterial species. They are also found in many bacteriophages, including Lactococcus lactis phage r1t. However, rusA is also present in the chromosome of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus. In this case, there is no obvious association of rusA with prophage-like sequences. Given the ancient lineage of Aquifex aeolicus, this observation provides the first indication that RusA may be of bacterial origin. The RusA proteins of A. aeolicus and bacteriophage r1t were purified and shown to resolve Holliday junctions. The r1t enzyme also promotes DNA repair in strains lacking the RuvABC resolvase. Both enzymes cleave junctions in a sequence-dependent manner, but the A. aeolicus RusA shows a different sequence preference (3' to TG) from the E. coli protein (5' to CC), and the r1t RusA has relaxed sequence dependence, requiring only a single cytosine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary J Sharples
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH, UK
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Nishino T, Komori K, Ishino Y, Morikawa K. Dissection of the regional roles of the archaeal Holliday junction resolvase Hjc by structural and mutational analyses. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:35735-40. [PMID: 11441015 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m104460200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Hjc is an archaeal DNA endonuclease, which resolves the Holliday junction in the presence of divalent metals. Combined with mutational analyses, the x-ray structure of the Pyrococcus furiosus Hjc crystal grown in the presence of ammonium sulfate revealed a positively charged interface, rich in conserved basic residues, and the catalytic center (Nishino, T., Komori, K., Tsuchiya, D., Ishino, Y., and Morikawa, K. (2001) Structure 9, 197-T204). This structural study also suggested that the N-terminal segment and some loops of Hjc play crucial roles in the cleavage of DNA. However, a structural view of the interaction between these regions and DNA remains elusive. To clarify the regional roles of Hjc in the recognition of the Holliday junction, further structural and biochemical analyses were carried out. A new crystal form of Hjc was obtained from a polyethylene glycol solution in the absence of ammonium sulfate, and its structure has been determined at 2.16-A resolution. A comparison of the two crystal structures has revealed that the N-terminal segment undergoes a serious conformational change. The site-directed mutagenesis of the sulfate-binding site within the segment caused a dramatic decrease in the junction binding, but the mutant was still capable of cleaving DNA with a 20-fold lower efficiency. The kinetic analysis of Hjc-Holliday junction interaction indicated that mutations in the N-terminal segment greatly increased the dissociation rate constants of the Hjc-Holliday junction complex, explaining the decreased stability of the complex. This segment is also responsible for the disruption of base pairs near the junction center, through specific interactions with them. Taken together, these results imply that, in addition to the secondary effects of two basic loops, the flexible N-terminal segment plays predominant roles in the recognition of DNA conformation near the crossover and in correct positioning of the cleavage site to the catalytic center of the Hjc resolvase.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Nishino
- Department of Structural Biology and Department of Molecular Biology, Biomolecular Engineering Research Institute, 6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan
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35
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Bolt EL, Lloyd RG, Sharples GJ. Genetic analysis of an archaeal Holliday junction resolvase in Escherichia coli. J Mol Biol 2001; 310:577-89. [PMID: 11439025 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2001.4791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The study of genes and proteins in heterologous model systems provides a powerful approach to the analysis of common processes in biology. Here, we show how the bacterium Escherichia coli can be exploited to analyse genetically and biochemically the activity and function of a Holliday junction resolving enzyme from an archaeal species. We have purified and characterised a member of the newly discovered Holliday junction cleaving (Hjc) family of resolvases from the moderately thermophilic archaeon Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum and demonstrate that it promotes DNA repair in resolvase-deficient ruv mutants of E. coli. The data presented provide the first direct evidence that such archaeal enzymes can promote DNA repair in vivo, and support the view that formation and resolution of Holliday junctions are key to the interplay between DNA replication, recombination and repair in all organisms. We also show that Hjc promotes DNA repair in E. coli in a manner that requires the presence of the RecG branch migration protein. These results support models in which RecG acts at a replication fork stalled at a lesion in the DNA, catalysing fork regression and forming a Holliday junction that can then be acted upon by Hjc.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Bolt
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
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36
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37
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Abstract
Junction-resolving enzymes are ubiquitous nucleases that are important for DNA repair and recombination and act on DNA molecules containing branch points, especially four-way junctions. They show a pronounced selectivity for the structure of the DNA substrate but, despite its importance, the structural selectivity is not well understood. This poses an intriguing challenge in molecular recognition on a relatively large scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Lilley
- CRC Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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38
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Abstract
Genetic recombination is a critical cellular process that promotes evolutionary diversity, facilitates DNA repair and underpins genome duplication. It entails the reciprocal exchange of single strands between homologous DNA duplexes to form a four-way branched intermediate commonly referred to as the Holliday junction. DNA molecules interlinked in this way have to be separated in order to allow normal chromosome transmission at cell division. This resolution reaction is mediated by structure-specific endonucleases that catalyse dual-strand incision across the point of strand cross-over. Holliday junctions can also arise at stalled replication forks by reversing the direction of fork progression and annealing of nascent strands. Resolution of junctions in this instance generates a DNA break and thus serves to initiate rather than terminate recombination. Junction resolvases are generally small, homodimeric endonucleases with a high specificity for branched DNA. They use a metal-binding pocket to co-ordinate an activated water molecule for phosphodiester bond hydrolysis. In addition, most junction endonucleases modulate the structure of the junction upon binding, and some display a preference for cleavage at specific nucleotide target sequences. Holliday junction resolvases with distinct properties have been characterized from bacteriophages (T4 endo VII, T7 endo I, RusA and Rap), Bacteria (RuvC), Archaea (Hjc and Hje), yeast (CCE1) and poxviruses (A22R). Recent studies have brought about a reappraisal of the origins of junction-specific endonucleases with the discovery that RuvC, CCE1 and A22R share a common catalytic core.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Sharples
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
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Komori K, Sakae S, Daiyasu H, Toh H, Morikawa K, Shinagawa H, Ishino Y. Mutational analysis of the Pyrococcus furiosus holliday junction resolvase hjc revealed functionally important residues for dimer formation, junction DNA binding, and cleavage activities. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:40385-91. [PMID: 11005813 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m006294200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Holliday junction cleavage protein, Hjc resolvase of Pyrococcus furiosus, is the first Holliday junction resolvase to be discovered in Archaea. Although the archaeal resolvase shares certain biochemical properties with other non-archaeal junction resolvases, no amino acid sequence similarity has been identified. To investigate the structure-function relationship of this new Holliday junction resolvase, we constructed a series of mutant hjc genes using site-directed mutagenesis targeted at the residues conserved among the archaeal orthologs. The products of these mutant genes were purified to homogeneity. With analysis of the activity of the mutant proteins to bind and cleave synthetic Holliday junctions, one acidic residue, Glu-9, and two basic residues, Arg-10 and Arg-25, were found to play critical roles in enzyme action. This is in addition to the three conserved residues, Asp-33, Glu-46, and Lys-48, which are also conserved in the motif found in the type II restriction endonuclease family proteins. Two aromatic residues, Phe-68 and Phe-72, are important for the formation of the homodimer probably through hydrophobic interactions. The results of these studies have provided insights into the structure-function relationships of the archaeal Holliday junction resolvase as well as the universality and diversity of the Holliday junction cleavage reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Komori
- Departments of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Structural Biology, Biomolecular Engineering Research Institute, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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40
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Bolt EL, Sharples GJ, Lloyd RG. Analysis of conserved basic residues associated with DNA binding (Arg69) and catalysis (Lys76) by the RusA holliday junction resolvase. J Mol Biol 2000; 304:165-76. [PMID: 11080453 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2000.4196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Holliday junctions are key intermediates in both homologous recombination and DNA repair, and are also formed from replication forks stalled at lesions in the template strands. Their resolution is critical for chromosome segregation and cell viability, and is mediated by a class of small, homodimeric endonucleases that bind the structure and cleave the DNA. All the enzymes studied require divalent metal ions for strand cleavage and their active centres are characterised by conserved aspartate/glutamate residues that provide ligands for metal binding. Sequence alignments reveal that they also contain a number of conserved basic residues. We used site-directed mutagenesis to investigate such residues in the RusA resolvase. RusA is a 120 amino acid residue polypeptide that can be activated in Escherichia coli to promote recombination and repair in the absence of the Ruv proteins. The RuvA, RuvB and RuvC proteins form a complex on Holliday junction DNA that drives coupled branch migration (RuvAB) and resolution (RuvC) reactions. In contrast to RuvC, the RusA resolvase does not interact directly with a branch migration motor, which simplifies analysis of its resolution activity. Catalysis depends on three highly conserved acidic residues (Asp70, Asp72 and Asp91) that define the catalytic centre. We show that Lys76, which is invariant in RusA sequences, is essential for catalysis, but not for DNA binding, and that an invariant asparagine residue (Asn73) is required for optimal activity. Analysis of DNA binding revealed that RusA may interact with one face of an open junction before manipulating its conformation in the presence of Mg(2+) as part of the catalytic process. A well-conserved arginine residue (Arg69) is linked with this critical stage. These findings provide the first insights into the roles played by basic residues in DNA binding and catalysis by a Holliday junction resolvase.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Bolt
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
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41
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Komori K, Sakae S, Fujikane R, Morikawa K, Shinagawa H, Ishino Y. Biochemical characterization of the hjc holliday junction resolvase of Pyrococcus furiosus. Nucleic Acids Res 2000; 28:4544-51. [PMID: 11071944 PMCID: PMC113867 DOI: 10.1093/nar/28.22.4544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hjc protein of Pyrococcus furiosus is an endonuclease that resolves Holliday junctions, the intermediates in homologous recombination. The amino acid sequence of Hjc is conserved in Archaea, however, it is not similar to any of the well-characterized Holliday junction resolvases. In order to investigate the similarity and diversity of the enzymatic properties of Hjc as a Holliday junction resolvase, highly purified Hjc produced in recombinant Escherichia coli was used for detailed biochemical characterizations. Hjc has specific binding activity to the Holliday-structured DNA, with an apparent dissociation constant (K:(d)) of 60 nM. The dimeric form of Hjc binds to the substrate DNA. The optimal reaction conditions were determined using a synthetic Holliday junction as substrate. Hjc required a divalent cation for cleavage activity and Mg(2+) at 5-10 mM was optimal. Mn(2+) could substitute for Mg(2+), but it was much less efficient than Mg(2+) as the cofactor. The cleavage reaction was stimulated by alkaline pH and KCl at approximately 200 mM. In addition to the high specific activity, Hjc was found to be extremely heat stable. In contrast to the case of SULFOLOBUS:, the Holliday junction resolving activity detected in P. furiosus cell extract thus far is only derived from Hjc.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Komori
- Department of Molecular Biology and Department of Structural Biology, Biomolecular Engineering Research Institute (BERI), 6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan
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42
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Yamamoto A, Schofield MJ, Biswas I, Hsieh P. Requirement for Phe36 for DNA binding and mismatch repair by Escherichia coli MutS protein. Nucleic Acids Res 2000; 28:3564-9. [PMID: 10982877 PMCID: PMC110738 DOI: 10.1093/nar/28.18.3564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2000] [Revised: 07/26/2000] [Accepted: 07/26/2000] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The MutS family of DNA repair proteins recognizes base pair mismatches and insertion/deletion mismatches and targets them for repair in a strand-specific manner. Photocrosslinking and mutational studies previously identified a highly conserved Phe residue at the N-terminus of Thermus aquaticus MutS protein that is critical for mismatch recognition in vitro. Here, a mutant Escherichia coli MutS protein harboring a substitution of Ala for the corresponding Phe36 residue is assessed for proficiency in mismatch repair in vivo and DNA binding and ATP hydrolysis in vitro. The F36A protein is unable to restore mismatch repair proficiency to a mutS strain as judged by mutation to rifampicin or reversion of a specific point mutation in lacZ. The F36A protein is also severely deficient for binding to heteroduplexes containing an unpaired thymidine or a G:T mismatch although its intrinsic ATPase activity and subunit oligomerization are very similar to that of the wild-type MutS protein. Thus, the F36A mutation appears to confer a defect specific for recognition of insertion/deletion and base pair mismatches.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yamamoto
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1810, USA
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43
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Wardleworth BN, Kvaratskhelia M, White MF. Site-directed mutagenesis of the yeast resolving enzyme Cce1 reveals catalytic residues and relationship with the intron-splicing factor Mrs1. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:23725-8. [PMID: 10825168 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m002612200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Holliday junction-resolving enzyme Cce1 is a magnesium-dependent endonuclease, responsible for the resolution of recombining mitochondrial DNA molecules in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have identified a homologue of Cce1 from Candida albicans and used a multiple sequence alignment to predict residues important for junction binding and catalysis. Twelve site-directed mutants have been constructed, expressed, purified, and characterized. Using this approach, we have identified basic residues with putative roles in both DNA recognition and catalysis of strand scission and acidic residues that have a purely catalytic role. We have shown directly by isothermal titration calorimetry that a group of acidic residues vital for catalytic activity in Cce1 act as ligands for the catalytic magnesium ions. Sequence similarities between the Cce1 proteins and the group I intron splicing factor Mrs1 suggest the latter may also possess a binding site for magnesium, with a putative role in stabilization of RNA tertiary structure or catalysis of the splicing reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- B N Wardleworth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
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44
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Déclais AC, Lilley DM. Extensive central disruption of a four-way junction on binding CCE1 resolving enzyme. J Mol Biol 2000; 296:421-33. [PMID: 10669598 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1999.3479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Junction-resolving enzymes are nucleases that are selective for the structure of the four-way DNA junction that is important in genetic recombination. They exhibit selectivity for the structure of the junction, but they also manipulate the structure. Local disruption of DNA structure around the centre of the junction by CCE1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated using 2-aminopurine fluorescence. On binding CCE1, 2-aminopurine bases located at the point of strand exchange exhibit a large increase in fluorescence intensity (up to 39-fold enhancement), consistent with complete unstacking. This was observed for all positions around the centre of the junction, both 5' and 3' to the point of strand exchange. Thymine bases complementary to the modified adenine bases adjacent to the junction centre were strongly reactive to potassium permanganate. The results indicate that binding of CCE1 results in a complete unpairing of the four central base-pairs of the junction, with a lesser disruption of the next base-pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Déclais
- Department of Biochemistry, CRC Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK
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45
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Kvaratskhelia M, White MF. An archaeal Holliday junction resolving enzyme from Sulfolobus solfataricus exhibits unique properties. J Mol Biol 2000; 295:193-202. [PMID: 10623519 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1999.3363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The rearrangement and repair of DNA by homologous recombination often involves the creation of Holliday junctions, which must be cleaved by junction-specific endonucleases to yield recombinant duplex DNA products. Holliday junction resolving enzymes are a ubiquitous class of proteins with diverse structural and mechanistic characteristics. We have characterised an endonuclease (Hje) from the thermophilic crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus that exhibits a high degree of specificity for Holliday junctions via an apparently novel mechanism. Hje resolves four-way DNA junctions by the introduction of paired nicks in a reaction that is independent of the local nucleotide sequence, but is restricted solely to strands that are continuous in the stacked-X form of the junction. Three-way DNA junctions are cleaved only when the presence of a bulge in one strand allows the junction to stack in an analogous manner to four-way junctions. These properties differentiate Hje from all other known junction resolving enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kvaratskhelia
- Department of Biochemistry, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
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46
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El Amri C, Mauffret O, Monnot M, Tevanian G, Lescot E, Porumb H, Fermandjian S. A DNA hairpin with a single residue loop closed by a strongly distorted Watson-Crick G x C base-pair. J Mol Biol 1999; 294:427-42. [PMID: 10610769 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1999.3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Our previous NMR and modeling studies have shown that the single-stranded 19mer oligonucleotides d(AGCTTATC-ATC-GATAA GCT) -ATC- and d(AGCTTATC-GAT-GATAAGCT) -GAT- encompassing the strongest topoisomerase II cleavage site in pBR322 DNA could form stable hairpin structures. A new sheared base-pair, the pyrimidine-purine C x A, was found to close the single base -ATC- loop, while -GAT- displayed a flexible loop of three/five residues with no stabilizing interactions. Now we report a structural study on -GAC-, an analog of -GAT-, derived through the substitution of the loop residue T by C. The results obtained from NMR, non-denaturing PAGE, UV-melting, circular dichroism experiments and restrained molecular dynamics indicate that -GAC- adopts a hairpin structure folded through a single residue loop. In the -GAC- hairpin the direction of the G9 sugar is reversed relative to the C8 sugar, thus pushing the backbone of the loop into the major groove. The G9 x C11 base-pair closing the loop is thus neither a sheared base-pair nor a regular Watson-Crick one. Although G9 and C11 are paired through hydrogen bonds of Watson-Crick type, the base-pair is not planar but rather adopts a wedge-shaped geometry with the two bases stacked on top of each other in the minor groove. The distortion decreases the sugar C1'-C1' distance between the paired G9 and C11, to 8 A versus 11 A in the standard B-DNA. The A10 residue at the center of the loop interacts with the G9 x C11 base-pair, and seems to contribute to the extra thermal stability displayed by -GAC- compared to -GAT-. Test calculations allowed us to identify the experimental NOEs critical for inducing the distorted G.C Watson-Crick base-pair. The preference of -GAC- for a hairpin structure rather than a duplex is confirmed by the diffusion constant values obtained from pulse-field gradient NMR experiments. All together, the results illustrate the high degree of plasticity of single-stranded DNAs which can accommodate a variety of turn-loops to fold up on themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- C El Amri
- Département de Biologie et Pharmacologie Structurales UMR 8532 CNRS, PR2, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue Camille-Desmoulins, Villejuif Cedex, 94805, France
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47
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Cox MM. Recombinational DNA repair in bacteria and the RecA protein. PROGRESS IN NUCLEIC ACID RESEARCH AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 1999; 63:311-66. [PMID: 10506835 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6603(08)60726-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In bacteria, the major function of homologous genetic recombination is recombinational DNA repair. This is not a process reserved only for rare double-strand breaks caused by ionizing radiation, nor is it limited to situations in which the SOS response has been induced. Recombinational DNA repair in bacteria is closely tied to the cellular replication systems, and it functions to repair damage at stalled replication forks, Studies with a variety of rec mutants, carried out under normal aerobic growth conditions, consistently suggest that at least 10-30% of all replication forks originating at the bacterial origin of replication are halted by DNA damage and must undergo recombinational DNA repair. The actual frequency may be much higher. Recombinational DNA repair is both the most complex and the least understood of bacterial DNA repair processes. When replication forks encounter a DNA lesion or strand break, repair is mediated by an adaptable set of pathways encompassing most of the enzymes involved in DNA metabolism. There are five separate enzymatic processes involved in these repair events: (1) The replication fork assembled at OriC stalls and/or collapses when encountering DNA damage. (2) Recombination enzymes provide a complementary strand for a lesion isolated in a single-strand gap, or reconstruct a branched DNA at the site of a double-strand break. (3) The phi X174-type primosome (or repair primosome) functions in the origin-independent reassembly of the replication fork. (4) The XerCD site-specific recombination system resolves the dimeric chromosomes that are the inevitable by-product of frequent recombination associated with recombinational DNA repair. (5) DNA excision repair and other repair systems eliminate lesions left behind in double-stranded DNA. The RecA protein plays a central role in the recombination phase of the process. Among its many activities, RecA protein is a motor protein, coupling the hydrolysis of ATP to the movement of DNA branches.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Cox
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706, USA
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48
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Sharples GJ, Ingleston SM, Lloyd RG. Holliday junction processing in bacteria: insights from the evolutionary conservation of RuvABC, RecG, and RusA. J Bacteriol 1999; 181:5543-50. [PMID: 10482492 PMCID: PMC94071 DOI: 10.1128/jb.181.18.5543-5550.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G J Sharples
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
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49
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van Gool AJ, Hajibagheri NM, Stasiak A, West SC. Assembly of the Escherichia coli RuvABC resolvasome directs the orientation of holliday junction resolution. Genes Dev 1999; 13:1861-70. [PMID: 10421637 PMCID: PMC316879 DOI: 10.1101/gad.13.14.1861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/1999] [Accepted: 06/01/1999] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Genetic recombination can lead to the formation of intermediates in which DNA molecules are linked by Holliday junctions. Movement of a junction along DNA, by a process known as branch migration, leads to heteroduplex formation, whereas resolution of a junction completes the recombination process. Holliday junctions can be resolved in either of two ways, yielding products in which there has, or has not, been an exchange of flanking markers. The ratio of these products is thought to be determined by the frequency with which the two isomeric forms (conformers) of the Holliday junction are cleaved. Recent studies with enzymes that process Holliday junctions in Escherichia coli, the RuvABC proteins, however, indicate that protein binding causes the junction to adopt an open square-planar configuration. Within such a structure, DNA isomerization can have little role in determining the orientation of resolution. To determine the role that junction-specific protein assembly has in determining resolution bias, a defined in vitro system was developed in which we were able to direct the assembly of the RuvABC resolvasome. We found that the bias toward resolution in one orientation or the other was determined simply by the way in which the Ruv proteins were positioned on the junction. Additionally, we provide evidence that supports current models on RuvABC action in which Holliday junction resolution occurs as the resolvasome promotes branch migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J van Gool
- Genetic Recombination Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) South Mimms, Herts EN6 3LD, UK
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50
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Bolt EL, Sharples GJ, Lloyd RG. Identification of three aspartic acid residues essential for catalysis by the RusA holliday junction resolvase. J Mol Biol 1999; 286:403-15. [PMID: 9973560 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1998.2499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RusA is a Holliday junction resolvase encoded by the cryptic prophage DLP12 of Escherichia coli K-12 that can be activated to promote homologous recombination and DNA repair in resolution-deficient mutants lacking the RuvABC proteins. Database searches with the 120 amino acid residue RusA sequence identified 11 homologues from diverse species, including one from the extreme thermophile Aquifex aeolicus, which suggests that RusA may be of ancient bacterial ancestry. A multiple alignment of these sequences revealed seven conserved or invariant acidic residues in the C-terminal half of the E. coli protein. By making site-directed mutations at these positions and analysing the ability of the mutant proteins to promote DNA repair in vivo and to resolve junctions in vitro, we identified three aspartic acid residues (D70, D72 and D91) that are essential for catalysis and that provide the first insight into the active-site mechanism of junction resolution by RusA. Substitution of any one of these three residues with asparagine reduces resolution activity >80-fold. The mutant proteins retain the ability to bind junction DNA regardless of the DNA sequence or of the mobility of the crossover. They interfere with the function of the RuvABC proteins in vivo, when expressed from a multicopy plasmid, an effect that is reproducible in vitro and that reflects the fact that the RusA proteins have a higher affinity for junction DNA in the presence of Mg2+ than do the RuvA and RuvC proteins. The D70N protein has a greater affinity for junctions in Mg2+ than does the wild-type, which indicates that the negatively charged carboxyl group of the aspartate residue plays a critical role at the active site of RusA. Electrostatic repulsions between D70, D72 and D91 may help to form a classical Mg2+-binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Bolt
- Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
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