Pif1 helicase directs eukaryotic Okazaki fragments toward the two-nuclease cleavage pathway for primer removal

Eukaryotic Pif1 helicase unwinds G-quadruplex and dsDNA using a conserved wedge

G-quadruplexes (G4s) formed by guanine-rich nucleic acids induce genome instability through impeding DNA replication fork progression. G4s are stable DNA structures, the unfolding of which require the functions of DNA helicases. Pif1 helicase binds preferentially to G4 DNA and plays multiple roles in maintaining genome stability, but the mechanism by which Pif1 unfolds G4s is poorly understood. Here we report the co-crystal structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 (ScPif1) bound to a G4 DNA with a 5' single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) segment. Unlike the Thermus oshimai Pif1-G4 structure, in which the 1B and 2B domains confer G4 recognition, ScPif1 recognizes G4 mainly through the wedge region in the 1A domain that contacts the 5' most G-tetrad directly. A conserved Arg residue in the wedge is required for Okazaki fragment processing but not for mitochondrial function or for suppression of gross chromosomal rearrangements. Multiple substitutions at this position have similar effects on resolution of DNA duplexes and G4s, suggesting that ScPif1 may use the same wedge to unwind G4 and dsDNA. Our results reveal the mechanism governing dsDNA unwinding and G4 unfolding by ScPif1 helicase that can potentially be generalized to other eukaryotic Pif1 helicases and beyond.

Two residues in the DNA binding site of Pif1 helicase are essential for nuclear functions but dispensable for mitochondrial respiratory growth

Pif1 helicase functions in both the nucleus and mitochondria. Pif1 tightly couples ATP hydrolysis, single-stranded DNA translocation, and duplex DNA unwinding. We investigated two Pif1 variants (F723A and T464A) that have each lost one site of interaction of the protein with the DNA substrate. Both variants exhibit minor reductions in affinity for DNA and ATP hydrolysis but have impaired DNA unwinding activity. However, these variants translocate on single-stranded DNA faster than the wildtype enzyme and can slide on the DNA substrate in an ATP-independent manner. This suggests they have lost their grip on the DNA, interfering with coupling ATP hydrolysis to translocation and unwinding. Yeast expressing these variants have increased gross chromosomal rearrangements, increased telomere length, and can overcome the lethality of dna2Δ, similar to phenotypes of yeast lacking Pif1. However, unlike pif1Δ mutants, they are viable on glycerol containing media and maintain similar mitochondrial DNA copy numbers as Pif1 wildtype. Overall, our data indicate that a tight grip of the trailing edge of the Pif1 enzyme on the DNA couples ATP hydrolysis to DNA translocation and DNA unwinding. This tight grip appears to be essential for the Pif1 nuclear functions tested but is dispensable for mitochondrial respiratory growth.

Mechanistic investigation of human maturation of Okazaki fragments reveals slow kinetics

The final steps of lagging strand synthesis induce maturation of Okazaki fragments via removal of the RNA primers and ligation. Iterative cycles between Polymerase δ (Polδ) and Flap endonuclease-1 (FEN1) remove the primer, with an intermediary nick structure generated for each cycle. Here, we show that human Polδ is inefficient in releasing the nick product from FEN1, resulting in non-processive and remarkably slow RNA removal. Ligase 1 (Lig1) can release the nick from FEN1 and actively drive the reaction toward ligation. These mechanisms are coordinated by PCNA, which encircles DNA, and dynamically recruits Polδ, FEN1, and Lig1 to compete for their substrates. Our findings call for investigating additional pathways that may accelerate RNA removal in human cells, such as RNA pre-removal by RNase Hs, which, as demonstrated herein, enhances the maturation rate ~10-fold. They also suggest that FEN1 may attenuate the various activities of Polδ during DNA repair and recombination.

Tideglusib Inhibits Pif1 Helicase of Bacteroides sp. via an Irreversible and Cys-380-Dependent Mechanism

Pif1 helicase plays multiple roles in maintaining genome stability, which is an attractive therapeutic target for helicase-related diseases, while small molecules targeting Pif1 are not yet available. In this study, we performed a fluorescence polarization-based high-throughput screening and identified that an FDA-approved drug, Tideglusib (TD), could inhibit the DNA-binding activity (IC₅₀ = 6.2 ± 0.4 μM) and ATPase and helicase activity (IC₅₀ = 2-4 μM) of Bacteroides sp. Pif1 (BaPif1), which was also confirmed with human Pif1. In addition, the TD analogue TDZD-8 displayed similar inhibitory effects on Pif1 activities. Notably, TD irreversibly inhibited BaPif1 and severely induced BaPif1 aggregation. Furthermore, inhibition of BaPif1 by TD was significantly attenuated in the presence of dithiothreitol, indicating that TD could be a thiol-reactive compound. We also identified that Cys-380 of BaPif1 is critical for the inhibition by TD, suggesting that TD inhibits BaPif1 via an irreversible and Cys-380-dependent mechanism.

The mechanism of replication stalling and recovery within repetitive DNA

Accurate chromosomal DNA replication is essential to maintain genomic stability. Genetic evidence suggests that certain repetitive sequences impair replication, yet the underlying mechanism is poorly defined. Replication could be directly inhibited by the DNA template or indirectly, for example by DNA-bound proteins. Here, we reconstitute replication of mono-, di- and trinucleotide repeats in vitro using eukaryotic replisomes assembled from purified proteins. We find that structure-prone repeats are sufficient to impair replication. Whilst template unwinding is unaffected, leading strand synthesis is inhibited, leading to fork uncoupling. Synthesis through hairpin-forming repeats is rescued by replisome-intrinsic mechanisms, whereas synthesis of quadruplex-forming repeats requires an extrinsic accessory helicase. DNA-induced fork stalling is mechanistically similar to that induced by leading strand DNA lesions, highlighting structure-prone repeats as an important potential source of replication stress. Thus, we propose that our understanding of the cellular response to replication stress may also be applied to DNA-induced replication stalling.

Genetic and biochemical interactions of yeast DNA helicases

DNA helicases function in many types of nucleic acid transactions, and as such, they are vital for genome integrity. Although they are often considered individually, work from many groups demonstrates that these enzymes often genetically and biochemically interact in vivo. Here, we highlight methods to interrogate such interactions among the PIF1 (Pif1 and Rrm3) and RecQ (Hrq1 and Sgs1) family helicases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The interactions among these enzymes were investigated in vivo using deletion and inactivation alleles with a gross-chromosomal rearrangement (GCR) assay. Further, wild-type and inactive recombinant proteins were used to determine the effects of the helicases on telomerase activity in vitro. We found that synergistic increases in GCR rates often occur in double vs. single mutants, suggesting that the helicases function in distinct genome integrity pathways. Further, the recombinant helicases can function together in vitro to modulate telomerase activity. Overall, the data suggest that the interactions among the members of these DNA helicase families are multipartite and argue for a comprehensive systems biology approach to fully elucidate the physiological interplay between these enzymes.

Role and Regulation of Pif1 Family Helicases at the Replication Fork

Pif1 helicases are a multifunctional family of DNA helicases that are important for many aspects of genomic stability in the nucleus and mitochondria. Pif1 helicases are conserved from bacteria to humans. Pif1 helicases play multiple roles at the replication fork, including promoting replication through many barriers such as G-quadruplex DNA, the rDNA replication fork barrier, tRNA genes, and R-loops. Pif1 helicases also regulate telomerase and promote replication termination, Okazaki fragment maturation, and break-induced replication. This review highlights many of the roles and regulations of Pif1 at the replication fork that promote cellular health and viability.

Deciphering the mechanism of processive ssDNA digestion by the Dna2-RPA ensemble

Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) commonly occurs as intermediates in DNA metabolic pathways. The ssDNA binding protein, RPA, not only protects the integrity of ssDNA, but also directs the downstream factor that signals or repairs the ssDNA intermediate. However, it remains unclear how these enzymes/factors outcompete RPA to access ssDNA. Using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system, we find that Dna2 — a key nuclease in DNA replication and repair — employs a bimodal interface to act with RPA both in cis and in trans. The cis-activity makes RPA a processive unit for Dna2-catalyzed ssDNA digestion, where RPA delivers its bound ssDNA to Dna2. On the other hand, activity in trans is mediated by an acidic patch on Dna2, which enables it to function with a sub-optimal amount of RPA, or to overcome DNA secondary structures. The trans-activity mode is not required for cell viability, but is necessary for effective double strand break (DSB) repair.

RPA protects the integrity of single stranded DNA during DNA repair processes. Here the authors show how RPA actively participates in DNA transactions through its interactions with the endonuclease Dna2.

Biochemical Analysis of RNA-DNA Hybrid and R-Loop Unwinding Via Motor Proteins

R-loops, three-stranded RNA-DNA hybrids that arise mostly during transcription, could cause genomic instability via distinct routes. Detection of genomic RNA-DNA hybrids via immunofluorescence and RNA-DNA hybrid immunoprecipitation techniques have facilitated the discovery of many cellular factors that maintain R-loop homeostasis. One of multiple R-loop avoidance mechanisms is mediated by several nucleic acid motor proteins that utilize the energy from ATP hydrolysis to dissociate the R-loop structure. The biochemical activity of such motor proteins can be interrogated using synthetic R-loop substrates. Here, we describe methods to generate R-loop and RNA-DNA substrates for studying the activity of R-loop processing motor proteins such as human DHX9 and S. cerevisiae Pif1. Such studies provide valuable information regarding the directionality, nucleic acid strand preference, and processivity of these enzymes. Moreover, these substrates and companion biochemical assays provide the requisite tool for understanding the action of physiologically relevant regulators of these motor proteins.

Pif1 Activity is Modulated by DNA Sequence and Structure

The gene encoding the Pif1 helicase was first discovered in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetic screen as a mutant that reduces recombination between mitochondrial respiratory mutants and was subsequently rediscovered in a screen for genes affecting the telomere length in the nucleus. It is now known that Pif1 is involved in numerous aspects of DNA metabolism. All known functions of Pif1 rely on binding to DNA substrates followed by ATP hydrolysis, coupling the energy released to translocation along DNA to unwind duplex DNA or alternative DNA secondary structures. The interaction of Pif1 with higher-order DNA structures, like G-quadruplex DNA, as well as the length of single-stranded (ss)DNA necessary for Pif1 loading have been widely studied. Here, to test the effects of ssDNA length, sequence, and structure on Pif1's biochemical activities in vitro, we used a suite of oligonucleotide-based substrates to perform a basic characterization of Pif1 ssDNA binding, ATPase activity, and helicase activity. Using recombinant, untagged S. cerevisiae Pif1, we found that Pif1 preferentially binds to structured G-rich ssDNA, but the preferred binding substrates failed to maximally stimulate ATPase activity. In helicase assays, significant DNA unwinding activity was detected at Pif1 concentrations as low as 250 pM. Helicase assays also demonstrated that Pif1 most efficiently unwinds DNA fork substrates with unstructured ssDNA tails. As the chemical step size of Pif1 has been determined to be 1 ATP per translocation or unwinding event, this implies that the highly structured DNA inhibits conformational changes in Pif1 that couple ATP hydrolysis to DNA translocation and unwinding.

DNA2 in Chromosome Stability and Cell Survival-Is It All about Replication Forks?

The conserved nuclease-helicase DNA2 has been linked to mitochondrial myopathy, Seckel syndrome, and cancer. Across species, the protein is indispensable for cell proliferation. On the molecular level, DNA2 has been implicated in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, checkpoint activation, Okazaki fragment processing (OFP), and telomere homeostasis. More recently, a critical contribution of DNA2 to the replication stress response and recovery of stalled DNA replication forks (RFs) has emerged. Here, we review the available functional and phenotypic data and propose that the major cellular defects associated with DNA2 dysfunction, and the links that exist with human disease, can be rationalized through the fundamental importance of DNA2-dependent RF recovery to genome duplication. Being a crucial player at stalled RFs, DNA2 is a promising target for anti-cancer therapy aimed at eliminating cancer cells by replication-stress overload.

Comprehensive Synthetic Genetic Array Analysis of Alleles That Interact with Mutation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RecQ Helicases Hrq1 and Sgs1

Most eukaryotic genomes encode multiple RecQ family helicases, including five such enzymes in humans. For many years, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was considered unusual in that it only contained a single RecQ helicase, named Sgs1. However, it has recently been discovered that a second RecQ helicase, called Hrq1, resides in yeast. Both Hrq1 and Sgs1 are involved in genome integrity, functioning in processes such as DNA inter-strand crosslink repair, double-strand break repair, and telomere maintenance. However, it is unknown if these enzymes interact at a genetic, physical, or functional level as demonstrated for their human homologs. Thus, we performed synthetic genetic array (SGA) analyses of hrq1Δ and sgs1Δ mutants. As inactive alleles of helicases can demonstrate dominant phenotypes, we also performed SGA analyses on the hrq1-K318A and sgs1-K706A ATPase/helicase-null mutants, as well as all combinations of deletion and inactive double mutants. We crossed these eight query strains (hrq1Δ, sgs1Δ, hrq1-K318A, sgs1-K706A, hrq1Δ sgs1Δ, hrq1Δ sgs1-K706A, hrq1-K318A sgs1Δ, and hrq1-K318A sgs1-K706A) to the S. cerevisiae single gene deletion and temperature-sensitive allele collections to generate double and triple mutants and scored them for synthetic positive and negative genetic effects based on colony growth. These screens identified hundreds of synthetic interactions, supporting the known roles of Hrq1 and Sgs1 in DNA repair, as well as suggesting novel connections to rRNA processing, mitochondrial DNA maintenance, transcription, and lagging strand synthesis during DNA replication.

Dynamic regulation of Pif1 acetylation is crucial to the maintenance of genome stability

PIF1 family helicases are evolutionarily conserved among prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These enzymes function to support genome integrity by participating in multiple DNA transactions that can be broadly grouped into DNA replication, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance roles. However, the levels of PIF1 activity in cells must be carefully controlled, as Pif1 over-expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is toxic, and knockdown or over-expression of human PIF1 (hPIF1) supports cancer cell growth. This suggests that PIF1 family helicases must be subject to tight regulation in vivo to direct their activities to where and when they are needed, as well as to maintain those activities at proper homeostatic levels. Previous work shows that C-terminal phosphorylation of S. cerevisiae Pif1 regulates its telomere maintenance activity, and we recently identified that Pif1 is also regulated by lysine acetylation. The over-expression toxicity of Pif1 was exacerbated in cells lacking the Rpd3 lysine deacetylase, but mutation of the NuA4 lysine acetyltransferase subunit Esa1 ameliorated this toxicity. Using recombinant proteins, we found that acetylation stimulated the DNA binding affinity, ATPase activity, and DNA unwinding activities of Pif1. All three domains of the helicase were targets of acetylation in vitro, and multiple lines of evidence suggest that acetylation drives a conformational change in the N-terminal domain of Pif1 that impacts this stimulation. It is currently unclear what triggers lysine acetylation of Pif1 and how this modification impacts the many in vivo functions of the helicase, but future work promises to shed light on how this protein is tightly regulated within the cell.

Disease-associated DNA2 nuclease-helicase protects cells from lethal chromosome under-replication

DNA2 is an essential nuclease–helicase implicated in DNA repair, lagging-strand DNA synthesis, and the recovery of stalled DNA replication forks (RFs). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, dna2Δ inviability is reversed by deletion of the conserved helicase PIF1 and/or DNA damage checkpoint-mediator RAD9. It has been suggested that Pif1 drives the formation of long 5′-flaps during Okazaki fragment maturation, and that the essential function of Dna2 is to remove these intermediates. In the absence of Dna2, 5′-flaps are thought to accumulate on the lagging strand, resulting in DNA damage-checkpoint arrest and cell death. In line with Dna2’s role in RF recovery, we find that the loss of Dna2 results in severe chromosome under-replication downstream of endogenous and exogenous RF-stalling. Importantly, unfaithful chromosome replication in Dna2-mutant cells is exacerbated by Pif1, which triggers the DNA damage checkpoint along a pathway involving Pif1’s ability to promote homologous recombination-coupled replication. We propose that Dna2 fulfils its essential function by promoting RF recovery, facilitating replication completion while suppressing excessive RF restart by recombination-dependent replication (RDR) and checkpoint activation. The critical nature of Dna2’s role in controlling the fate of stalled RFs provides a framework to rationalize the involvement of DNA2 in Seckel syndrome and cancer.

Pif1, RPA, and FEN1 modulate the ability of DNA polymerase δ to overcome protein barriers during DNA synthesis

Successful DNA replication requires carefully regulated mechanisms to overcome numerous obstacles that naturally occur throughout chromosomal DNA. Scattered across the genome are tightly bound proteins, such as transcription factors and nucleosomes, that are necessary for cell function, but that also have the potential to impede timely DNA replication. Using biochemically reconstituted systems, we show that two transcription factors, yeast Reb1 and Tbf1, and a tightly positioned nucleosome, are strong blocks to the strand displacement DNA synthesis activity of DNA polymerase δ. Although the block imparted by Tbf1 can be overcome by the DNA-binding activity of the single-stranded DNA-binding protein RPA, efficient DNA replication through either a Reb1 or a nucleosome block occurs only in the presence of the 5'-3' DNA helicase Pif1. The Pif1-dependent stimulation of DNA synthesis across strong protein barriers may be beneficial during break-induced replication where barriers are expected to pose a problem to efficient DNA bubble migration. However, in the context of lagging strand DNA synthesis, the efficient disruption of a nucleosome barrier by Pif1 could lead to the futile re-replication of newly synthetized DNA. In the presence of FEN1 endonuclease, the major driver of nick translation during lagging strand replication, Pif1-dependent stimulation of DNA synthesis through a nucleosome or Reb1 barrier is prevented. By cleaving the short 5' tails generated during strand displacement, FEN1 eliminates the entry point for Pif1. We propose that this activity would protect the cell from potential DNA re-replication caused by unwarranted Pif1 interference during lagging strand replication.

Lysine acetylation regulates the activity of nuclear Pif1

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Pif1 helicase functions in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA replication and repair processes, preferentially unwinding RNA:DNA hybrids and resolving G-quadruplex structures. We sought to determine how the various activities of Pif1 are regulated in vivo Here, we report lysine acetylation of nuclear Pif1 and demonstrate that it influences both Pif1's cellular roles and core biochemical activities. Using Pif1 overexpression toxicity assays, we determined that the acetyltransferase NuA4 and deacetylase Rpd3 are primarily responsible for the dynamic acetylation of nuclear Pif1. MS analysis revealed that Pif1 was modified in several domains throughout the protein's sequence on the N terminus (Lys-118 and Lys-129), helicase domain (Lys-525, Lys-639, and Lys-725), and C terminus (Lys-800). Acetylation of Pif1 exacerbated its overexpression toxicity phenotype, which was alleviated upon deletion of its N terminus. Biochemical assays demonstrated that acetylation of Pif1 stimulated its helicase, ATPase, and DNA-binding activities, whereas maintaining its substrate preferences. Limited proteolysis assays indicate that acetylation of Pif1 induces a conformational change that may account for its altered enzymatic properties. We propose that acetylation is involved in regulating of Pif1 activities, influencing a multitude of DNA transactions vital to the maintenance of genome integrity.

CMG helicase disassembly is controlled by replication fork DNA, replisome components and a ubiquitin threshold

The eukaryotic replisome assembles around the CMG helicase, which stably associates with DNA replication forks throughout elongation. When replication terminates, CMG is ubiquitylated on its Mcm7 subunit and disassembled by the Cdc48/p97 ATPase. Until now, the regulation that restricts CMG ubiquitylation to termination was unknown, as was the mechanism of disassembly. By reconstituting these processes with purified budding yeast proteins, we show that ubiquitylation is tightly repressed throughout elongation by the Y-shaped DNA structure of replication forks. Termination removes the repressive DNA structure, whereupon long K48-linked ubiquitin chains are conjugated to CMG-Mcm7, dependent on multiple replisome components that bind to the ubiquitin ligase SCFDia2. This mechanism pushes CMG beyond a '5-ubiquitin threshold' that is inherent to Cdc48, which specifically unfolds ubiquitylated Mcm7 and thereby disassembles CMG. These findings explain the exquisite regulation of CMG disassembly and provide a general model for the disassembly of ubiquitylated protein complexes by Cdc48.

Mgs1 protein supports genome stability via recognition of G-quadruplex DNA structures

The integrity of the genetic material is crucial for every organism. One intrinsic attack to genome stability is stalling of the replication fork which can result in DNA breakage. Several factors, such as DNA lesions or the formation of stable secondary structures (eg, G-quadruplexes) can lead to replication fork stalling. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are well-characterized stable secondary DNA structures that can form within specific single-stranded DNA sequence motifs and have been shown to block/pause the replication machinery. In most genomes several helicases have been described to regulate G4 unfolding to preserve genome integrity, however, different experiments raise the hypothesis that processing of G4s during DNA replication is more complex and requires additional, so far unknown, proteins. Here, we show that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mgs1 protein robustly binds to G4 structures in vitro and preferentially acts at regions with a strong potential to form G4 structures in vivo. Our results suggest that Mgs1 binds to G4-forming sites and has a role in the maintenance of genome integrity.

The secondary-structured DNA-binding activity of Dna2 endonuclease/helicase is critical to cell growth under replication stress

Dna2 can efficiently process 5' flaps containing DNA secondary structure using coordinated action of the three biochemical activities: the N-terminally encoded DNA-binding activity and the C-terminally encoded endonuclease and helicase activities. In this study, we investigated the cross talk among the three functional domains using a variety of dna2 mutant alleles and enzymes derived thereof. We found that disruption of the catalytic activities of Dna2 activated Dna2-dependent checkpoint, residing in the N-terminal domain. This checkpoint activity contributed to growth defects of dna2 catalytic mutants, revealing the presence of an intramolecular functional cross talk in Dna2. The N-terminal domain of Dna2 bound specifically to substrates that mimic DNA replication fork intermediates, including Holliday junctions. Using site-directed mutagenesis of the N-terminal domain of Dna2, we discovered that five consecutive basic amino acid residues were essential for the ability of Dna2 to bind hairpin DNA in vitro. Mutant cells expressing the dna2 allele containing all five basic residues substituted with alanine displayed three distinct phenotypes: (i) temperature-sensitive growth defects, (ii) bypass of S-phase arrest, and (iii) increased sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. Taken together, our results indicate that the interplay between the N-terminal regulatory and C-terminal catalytic domains of Dna2 plays an important role in vivo, especially when cells are placed under replication stress.

A model for the formation of the duplicated enhancers found in polyomavirus regulatory regions

When purified from persistent infections, the genomes of most human polyomaviruses contain single enhancers. However, when isolated from productively infected cells from immunocompromised individuals, the genomes of several polyomaviruses contain duplicated enhancers that promote a number of polyoma-based diseases. The mechanism(s) that gives rise to the duplicated enhancers in the polyomaviruses is, however, not known. Herein we propose a model for the duplication of the enhancers that is based on recent advances in our understanding of; 1) the initiation of polyomavirus DNA replication, 2) the formation of long flaps via displacement synthesis and 3) the subsequent generation of duplicated enhancers via double stranded break repair. Finally, we discuss the possibility that the polyomavirus based replication dependent enhancer duplication model may be relevant to the enhancer-associated rearrangements detected in human genomes that are associated with various diseases, including cancers.

RPA and Pif1 cooperate to remove G-rich structures at both leading and lagging strand

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the absence of Pif1 helicase induces the instability of G4-containing CEB1 minisatellite during leading strand but not lagging strand replication. We report that RPA and Pif1 cooperate to maintain CEB1 stability when the G4 forming strand is either on the leading or lagging strand templates. At the leading strand, RPA acts in the same pathway as Pif1 to maintain CEB1 stability. Consistent with this result, RPA co-precipitates with Pif1. This association between Pif1 and RPA is affected by the rfa1-D228Y mutation that lowers the affinity of RPA in particular for G-rich single-stranded DNA. At the lagging strand, in contrast to pif1Δ, the rfa1-D228Y mutation strongly increases the frequency of CEB1 rearrangements. We explain that Pif1 is dispensable at the lagging strand DNA by the ability of RPA by itself to prevent formation of stable G-rich secondary structures during lagging strand synthesis. Remarkably, overexpression of Pif1 rescues the instability of CEB1 at the lagging strand in the rfa1-D228Y mutant indicating that Pif1 can also act at the lagging strand. We show that the effects of the rfa1-D228Y (rpa1-D223Y in fission yeast) are conserved in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Finally, we report that RNase H1 interacts in a DNA-dependent manner with RPA in budding yeast, however overexpression of RNase H1 does not rescue CEB1 instability observed in pif1Δ and rfa1-D228Y mutants. Collectively these results add new insights about the general role of RPA in preventing formation of DNA secondary structures and in coordinating the action of factors aimed at resolving them.

Multiple roles of DNA2 nuclease/helicase in DNA metabolism, genome stability and human diseases

DNA2 nuclease/helicase is a structure-specific nuclease, 5'-to-3' helicase, and DNA-dependent ATPase. It is involved in multiple DNA metabolic pathways, including Okazaki fragment maturation, replication of 'difficult-to-replicate' DNA regions, end resection, stalled replication fork processing, and mitochondrial genome maintenance. The participation of DNA2 in these different pathways is regulated by its interactions with distinct groups of DNA replication and repair proteins and by post-translational modifications. These regulatory mechanisms induce its recruitment to specific DNA replication or repair complexes, such as DNA replication and end resection machinery, and stimulate its efficient cleavage of various structures, for example, to remove RNA primers or to produce 3' overhangs at telomeres or double-strand breaks. Through these versatile activities at replication forks and DNA damage sites, DNA2 functions as both a tumor suppressor and promoter. In normal cells, it suppresses tumorigenesis by maintaining the genomic integrity. Thus, DNA2 mutations or functional deficiency may lead to cancer initiation. However, DNA2 may also function as a tumor promoter, supporting cancer cell survival by counteracting replication stress. Therefore, it may serve as an ideal target to sensitize advanced DNA2-overexpressing cancers to current chemo- and radiotherapy regimens.

Structural basis for DNA unwinding at forked dsDNA by two coordinating Pif1 helicases

Pif1 plays multiple roles in maintaining genome stability and preferentially unwinds forked dsDNA, but the mechanism by which Pif1 unwinds forked dsDNA remains elusive. Here we report the structure of Bacteroides sp Pif1 (BaPif1) in complex with a symmetrical double forked dsDNA. Two interacting BaPif1 molecules are bound to each fork of the partially unwound dsDNA, and interact with the 5′ arm and 3′ ss/dsDNA respectively. Each of the two BaPif1 molecules is an active helicase and their interaction may regulate their helicase activities. The binding of BaPif1 to the 5′ arm causes a sharp bend in the 5′ ss/dsDNA junction, consequently breaking the first base-pair. BaPif1 bound to the 3′ ss/dsDNA junction impacts duplex unwinding by stabilizing the unpaired first base-pair and engaging the second base-pair poised for breaking. Our results provide an unprecedented insight into how two BaPif1 coordinate with each other to unwind the forked dsDNA.

Pif1 plays multiple roles in maintaining genome stability and preferentially unwinds forked dsDNA. Here the authors solve the structure of Bacteroides sp Pif1 (BaPif1) in complex with a symmetrical double forked dsDNA and provide unprecedented insights into forked dsDNA unwinding by BaPif1.

Branched unwinding mechanism of the Pif1 family of DNA helicases

Members of the Pif1 family of helicases function in multiple pathways that involve DNA synthesis: DNA replication across G-quadruplexes; break-induced replication; and processing of long flaps during Okazaki fragment maturation. Furthermore, Pif1 increases strand-displacement DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase δ and allows DNA replication across arrays of proteins tightly bound to DNA. This is a surprising feat since DNA rewinding or annealing activities limit the amount of single-stranded DNA product that Pif1 can generate, leading to an apparently poorly processive helicase. In this work, using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer approaches, we show that 2 members of the Pif1 family of helicases, Pif1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pfh1 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, unwind double-stranded DNA by a branched mechanism with 2 modes of activity. In the dominant mode, only short stretches of DNA can be processively and repetitively opened, with reclosure of the DNA occurring by mechanisms other than strand-switching. In the other less frequent mode, longer stretches of DNA are unwound via a path that is separate from the one leading to repetitive unwinding. Analysis of the kinetic partitioning between the 2 different modes suggests that the branching point in the mechanism is established by conformational selection, controlled by the interaction of the helicase with the 3' nontranslocating strand. The data suggest that the dominant and repetitive mode of DNA opening of the helicase can be used to allow efficient DNA replication, with DNA synthesis on the nontranslocating strand rectifying the DNA unwinding activity.

The Drosophila melanogaster PIF1 Helicase Promotes Survival During Replication Stress and Processive DNA Synthesis During Double-Strand Gap Repair

PIF1 is a 5' to 3' DNA helicase that can unwind double-stranded DNA and disrupt nucleic acid-protein complexes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pif1 plays important roles in mitochondrial and nuclear genome maintenance, telomere length regulation, unwinding of G-quadruplex structures, and DNA synthesis during break-induced replication. Some, but not all, of these functions are shared with other eukaryotes. To gain insight into the evolutionarily conserved functions of PIF1, we created pif1 null mutants in Drosophila melanogaster and assessed their phenotypes throughout development. We found that pif1 mutant larvae exposed to high concentrations of hydroxyurea, but not other DNA damaging agents, experience reduced survival to adulthood. Embryos lacking PIF1 fail to segregate their chromosomes efficiently during early nuclear divisions, consistent with a defect in DNA replication. Furthermore, loss of the BRCA2 protein, which is required for stabilization of stalled replication forks in metazoans, causes synthetic lethality in third instar larvae lacking either PIF1 or the polymerase delta subunit POL32. Interestingly, pif1 mutants have a reduced ability to synthesize DNA during repair of a double-stranded gap, but only in the absence of POL32. Together, these results support a model in which Drosophila PIF1 functions with POL32 during times of replication stress but acts independently of POL32 to promote synthesis during double-strand gap repair.

Insights into the structural and mechanistic basis of multifunctional S. cerevisiae Pif1p helicase

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 protein (ScPif1p) is the prototypical member of the Pif1 family of DNA helicases. ScPif1p is involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial, ribosomal and telomeric DNA and suppresses genome instability at G-quadruplex motifs. Here, we report the crystal structures of a truncated ScPif1p (ScPif1p^237−780) in complex with different ssDNAs. Our results have revealed that a yeast-specific insertion domain protruding from the 2B domain folds as a bundle bearing an α-helix, α16. The α16 helix regulates the helicase activities of ScPif1p through interactions with the previously identified loop3. Furthermore, a biologically relevant dimeric structure has been identified, which can be further specifically stabilized by G-quadruplex DNA. Basing on structural analyses and mutational studies with DNA binding and unwinding assays, a potential G-quadruplex DNA binding site in ScPif1p monomers is suggested. Our results also show that ScPif1p uses the Q-motif to preferentially hydrolyze ATP, and a G-rich tract is preferentially recognized by more residues, consistent with previous biochemical observations. These findings provide a structural and mechanistic basis for understanding the multifunctional ScPif1p.

Pif1 family DNA helicases: A helpmate to RNase H?

An R-loop is a structure that forms when an RNA transcript stays bound to the DNA strand that encodes it and leaves the complementary strand exposed as a loop of single stranded DNA. R-loops accumulate when the processing of RNA transcripts is impaired. The failure to remove these RNA-DNA hybrids can lead to replication fork stalling and genome instability. Resolution of R-loops is thought to be mediated mainly by RNase H enzymes through the removal and degradation of the RNA in the hybrid. However, DNA helicases can also dismantle R-loops by displacing the bound RNA. In particular, the Pif1 family DNA helicases have been shown to regulate R-loop formation at specific genomic loci, such as tRNA genes and centromeres. Here we review the roles of Pif1 family helicases in vivo and in vitro and discuss evidence that Pif1 family helicases act on RNA-DNA hybrids and highlight their potential roles in complementing RNase H for R-loop resolution.

The Biochemical Activities of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 Helicase Are Regulated by Its N-Terminal Domain

: Pif1 family helicases represent a highly conserved class of enzymes involved in multiple aspects of genome maintenance. Many Pif1 helicases are multi-domain proteins, but the functions of their non-helicase domains are poorly understood. Here, we characterized how the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 helicase affects its functions both in vivo and in vitro. Removal of the Pif1 NTD alleviated the toxicity associated with Pif1 overexpression in yeast. Biochemically, the N-terminally truncated Pif1 (Pif1ΔN) retained in vitro DNA binding, DNA unwinding, and telomerase regulation activities, but these activities differed markedly from those displayed by full-length recombinant Pif1. However, Pif1ΔN was still able to synergize with the Hrq1 helicase to inhibit telomerase activity in vitro, similar to full-length Pif1. These data impact our understanding of Pif1 helicase evolution and the roles of these enzymes in the maintenance of genome integrity.

Pif1-Family Helicases Support Fork Convergence during DNA Replication Termination in Eukaryotes

The convergence of two DNA replication forks creates unique problems during DNA replication termination. In E. coli and SV40, the release of torsional strain by type II topoisomerases is critical for converging replisomes to complete DNA synthesis, but the pathways that mediate fork convergence in eukaryotes are unknown. We studied the convergence of reconstituted yeast replication forks that include all core replisome components and both type I and type II topoisomerases. We found that most converging forks stall at a very late stage, indicating a role for additional factors. We showed that the Pif1 and Rrm3 DNA helicases promote efficient fork convergence and completion of DNA synthesis, even in the absence of type II topoisomerase. Furthermore, Rrm3 and Pif1 are also important for termination of plasmid DNA replication in vivo. These findings identify a eukaryotic pathway for DNA replication termination that is distinct from previously characterized prokaryotic mechanisms.

DNA Replication Through Strand Displacement During Lagging Strand DNA Synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This review discusses a set of experimental results that support the existence of extended strand displacement events during budding yeast lagging strand DNA synthesis. Starting from introducing the mechanisms and factors involved in leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis and some aspects of the architecture of the eukaryotic replisome, we discuss studies on bacterial, bacteriophage and viral DNA polymerases with potent strand displacement activities. We describe proposed pathways of Okazaki fragment processing via short and long flaps, with a focus on experimental results obtained in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that suggest the existence of frequent and extended strand displacement events during eukaryotic lagging strand DNA synthesis, and comment on their implications for genome integrity.

Human Exonuclease 1 (EXO1) Regulatory Functions in DNA Replication with Putative Roles in Cancer

Human exonuclease 1 (EXO1), a 5'→3' exonuclease, contributes to the regulation of the cell cycle checkpoints, replication fork maintenance, and post replicative DNA repair pathways. These processes are required for the resolution of stalled or blocked DNA replication that can lead to replication stress and potential collapse of the replication fork. Failure to restart the DNA replication process can result in double-strand breaks, cell-cycle arrest, cell death, or cellular transformation. In this review, we summarize the involvement of EXO1 in the replication, DNA repair pathways, cell cycle checkpoints, and the link between EXO1 and cancer.

Dna2 processes behind the fork long ssDNA flaps generated by Pif1 and replication-dependent strand displacement

Dna2 is a DNA helicase-endonuclease mediating DSB resection and Okazaki fragment processing. Dna2 ablation is lethal and rescued by inactivation of Pif1, a helicase assisting Okazaki fragment maturation, Pol32, a DNA polymerase δ subunit, and Rad9, a DNA damage response (DDR) factor. Dna2 counteracts fork reversal and promotes fork restart. Here we show that Dna2 depletion generates lethal DNA structures activating the DDR. While PIF1 deletion rescues the lethality of Dna2 depletion, RAD9 ablation relieves the first cell cycle arrest causing genotoxicity after few cell divisions. Slow fork speed attenuates DDR in Dna2 deprived cells. Electron microscopy shows that Dna2-ablated cells accumulate long ssDNA flaps behind the forks through Pif1 and fork speed. We suggest that Dna2 offsets the strand displacement activity mediated by the lagging strand polymerase and Pif1, processing long ssDNA flaps to prevent DDR activation. We propose that this Dna2 function has been hijacked by Break Induced Replication in DSB processing.

DNA2 encodes a 5′ flap DNA endonuclease involved in replication and DNA double strand break processing. Here the authors by using a conditional degron system together with electron microscopy characterize the role played by Dna2 and Pif1 helicase during unperturbed DNA replication in S. cerevisiae.

Mechanism of Lagging-Strand DNA Replication in Eukaryotes

This chapter focuses on the enzymes and mechanisms involved in lagging-strand DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. Recent structural and biochemical progress with DNA polymerase α-primase (Pol α) provides insights how each of the millions of Okazaki fragments in a mammalian cell is primed by the primase subunit and further extended by its polymerase subunit. Rapid kinetic studies of Okazaki fragment elongation by Pol δ illuminate events when the polymerase encounters the double-stranded RNA-DNA block of the preceding Okazaki fragment. This block acts as a progressive molecular break that provides both time and opportunity for the flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) to access the nascent flap and cut it. The iterative action of Pol δ and FEN1 is coordinated by the replication clamp PCNA and produces a regulated degradation of the RNA primer, thereby preventing the formation of long-strand displacement flaps. Occasional long flaps are further processed by backup nucleases including Dna2.

Symmetry from Asymmetry or Asymmetry from Symmetry?

The processes of DNA replication and mitosis allow the genetic information of a cell to be copied and transferred reliably to its daughter cells. However, if DNA replication and cell division were always performed in a symmetric manner, the result would be a cluster of tumor cells instead of a multicellular organism. Therefore, gaining a complete understanding of any complex living organism depends on learning how cells become different while faithfully maintaining the same genetic material. It is well recognized that the distinct epigenetic information contained in each cell type defines its unique gene expression program. Nevertheless, how epigenetic information contained in the parental cell is either maintained or changed in the daughter cells remains largely unknown. During the asymmetric cell division (ACD) of Drosophila male germline stem cells, our previous work revealed that preexisting histones are selectively retained in the renewed stem cell daughter, whereas newly synthesized histones are enriched in the differentiating daughter cell. We also found that randomized inheritance of preexisting histones versus newly synthesized histones results in both stem cell loss and progenitor germ cell tumor phenotypes, suggesting that programmed histone inheritance is a key epigenetic player for cells to either remember or reset cell fates. Here, we will discuss these findings in the context of current knowledge on DNA replication, polarized mitotic machinery, and ACD for both animal development and tissue homeostasis. We will also speculate on some potential mechanisms underlying asymmetric histone inheritance, which may be used in other biological events to achieve the asymmetric cell fates.

The Inherent Asymmetry of DNA Replication

Semiconservative DNA replication has provided an elegant solution to the fundamental problem of how life is able to proliferate in a way that allows cells, organisms, and populations to survive and replicate many times over. Somewhat lost, however, in our admiration for this mechanism is an appreciation for the asymmetries that occur in the process of DNA replication. As we discuss in this review, these asymmetries arise as a consequence of the structure of the DNA molecule and the enzymatic mechanism of DNA synthesis. Increasing evidence suggests that asymmetries in DNA replication are able to play a central role in the processes of adaptation and evolution by shaping the mutagenic landscape of cells. Additionally, in eukaryotes, recent work has demonstrated that the inherent asymmetries in DNA replication may play an important role in the process of chromatin replication. As chromatin plays an essential role in defining cell identity, asymmetries generated during the process of DNA replication may play critical roles in cell fate decisions related to patterning and development.

Structure and function of Pif1 helicase

Pif1 family helicases have multiple roles in the maintenance of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in eukaryotes. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 is involved in replication through barriers to replication, such as G-quadruplexes and protein blocks, and reduces genetic instability at these sites. Another Pif1 family helicase in S. cerevisiae, Rrm3, assists in fork progression through replication fork barriers at the rDNA locus and tRNA genes. ScPif1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1) also negatively regulates telomerase, facilitates Okazaki fragment processing, and acts with polymerase δ in break-induced repair. Recent crystal structures of bacterial Pif1 helicases and the helicase domain of human PIF1 combined with several biochemical and biological studies on the activities of Pif1 helicases have increased our understanding of the function of these proteins. This review article focuses on these structures and the mechanism(s) proposed for Pif1's various activities on DNA.

The functions of the multi-tasking Pfh1Pif1 helicase

Approximately, 1% of the genes in eukaryotic genomes encode for helicases, which make the number of helicases expressed in the cell considerably high. Helicases are motor proteins that participate in many central aspects of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, and based on their helicase motif conservation, they are divided into different helicase families. The Pif1 family of helicases is an evolutionarily conserved helicase family that is associated with familial breast cancer in humans. The Schizosaccharomyces pombe Pfh1 helicase belongs to the Pif1 helicase family and is a multi-tasking helicase that is important for replication fork progression through natural fork barriers, for G-quadruplex unwinding, and for Okazaki fragment maturation, and these activities are potentially shared by the human Pif1 helicase. This review discusses the known functions of the Pfh1 helicase, the study of which has led to a better understanding of nucleic acid metabolism in eukaryotes.

Getting it done at the ends: Pif1 family DNA helicases and telomeres

It is widely appreciated that the ends of linear DNA molecules cannot be fully replicated by the conventional replication apparatus. Less well known is that semi-conservative replication of telomeric DNA also presents problems for DNA replication. These problems likely arise from the atypical chromatin structure of telomeres, the GC-richness of telomeric DNA that makes it prone to forming DNA secondary structures, and from RNA-DNA hybrids, formed by transcripts of one or both DNA strands. Given the different aspects of telomeres that complicate their replication, it is not surprising that multiple DNA helicases promote replication of telomeric DNA. This review focuses on one such class of DNA helicases, the Pif1 family of 5'-3' DNA helicases. In budding and fission yeasts, Pif1 family helicases impact both telomerase-mediated and semi-conservative replication of telomeric DNA as well as recombination-mediated telomere lengthening.

Pif1 is a force-regulated helicase

Pif1 is a prototypical member of the 5′ to 3′ DNA helicase family conserved from bacteria to human. It has a high binding affinity for DNA, but unwinds double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with a low processivity. Efficient DNA unwinding has been observed only at high protein concentrations that favor dimerization of Pif1. In this research, we used single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and magnetic tweezers (MT) to study the DNA unwinding activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 (Pif1) under different forces exerted on the tails of a forked dsDNA. We found that Pif1 can unwind the forked DNA repetitively for many unwinding-rezipping cycles at zero force. However, Pif1 was found to have a very limited processivity in each cycle because it loosened its strong association with the tracking strand readily, which explains why Pif1 cannot be observed to unwind DNA efficiently in bulk assays at low protein concentrations. The force enhanced the unwinding rate and the total unwinding length of Pif1 significantly. With a force of 9 pN, the rate and length were enhanced by more than 3- and 20-fold, respectively. Our results imply that the DNA unwinding activity of Pif1 can be regulated by force. The relevance of this characteristic of Pif1 to its cellular functions is discussed.

Pif1 removes a Rap1-dependent barrier to the strand displacement activity of DNA polymerase δ

Using an in vitro reconstituted system in this work we provide direct evidence that the yeast repressor/activator protein 1 (Rap1), tightly bound to its consensus site, forms a strong non-polar barrier for the strand displacement activity of DNA polymerase δ. We propose that relief of inhibition may be mediated by the activity of an accessory helicase. To this end, we show that Pif1, a 5'-3' helicase, not only stimulates the strand displacement activity of Pol δ but it also allows efficient replication through the block, by removing bound Rap1 in front of the polymerase. This stimulatory activity of Pif1 is not limited to the displacement of a single Rap1 molecule; Pif1 also allows Pol δ to carry out DNA synthesis across an array of bound Rap1 molecules that mimics a telomeric DNA-protein assembly. This activity of Pif1 represents a novel function of this helicase during DNA replication.

Single-molecule imaging reveals the mechanism of Exo1 regulation by single-stranded DNA binding proteins

Exonuclease 1 (Exo1) is a 5'→3' exonuclease and 5'-flap endonuclease that plays a critical role in multiple eukaryotic DNA repair pathways. Exo1 processing at DNA nicks and double-strand breaks creates long stretches of single-stranded DNA, which are rapidly bound by replication protein A (RPA) and other single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs). Here, we use single-molecule fluorescence imaging and quantitative cell biology approaches to reveal the interplay between Exo1 and SSBs. Both human and yeast Exo1 are processive nucleases on their own. RPA rapidly strips Exo1 from DNA, and this activity is dependent on at least three RPA-encoded single-stranded DNA binding domains. Furthermore, we show that ablation of RPA in human cells increases Exo1 recruitment to damage sites. In contrast, the sensor of single-stranded DNA complex 1-a recently identified human SSB that promotes DNA resection during homologous recombination-supports processive resection by Exo1. Although RPA rapidly turns over Exo1, multiple cycles of nuclease rebinding at the same DNA site can still support limited DNA processing. These results reveal the role of single-stranded DNA binding proteins in controlling Exo1-catalyzed resection with implications for how Exo1 is regulated during DNA repair in eukaryotic cells.

Yeast Helicase Pif1 Unwinds RNA:DNA Hybrids with Higher Processivity than DNA:DNA Duplexes

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1, an SF1B helicase, has been implicated in both mitochondrial and nuclear functions. Here we have characterized the preference of Pif1 for RNA:DNA heteroduplexes in vitro by investigating several kinetic parameters associated with unwinding. We show that the preferential unwinding of RNA:DNA hybrids is due to neither specific binding nor differences in the rate of strand separation. Instead, Pif1 is capable of unwinding RNA:DNA heteroduplexes with moderately greater processivity compared with its duplex DNA:DNA counterparts. This higher processivity of Pif1 is attributed to slower dissociation from RNA:DNA hybrids. Biologically, this preferential role of the helicase may contribute to its functions at both telomeric and nontelomeric sites.

Genetic Interactions Implicating Postreplicative Repair in Okazaki Fragment Processing

Ubiquitination of the replication clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) at the conserved residue lysine (K)164 triggers postreplicative repair (PRR) to fill single-stranded gaps that result from stalled DNA polymerases. However, it has remained elusive as to whether cells engage PRR in response to replication defects that do not directly impair DNA synthesis. To experimentally address this question, we performed synthetic genetic array (SGA) analysis with a ubiquitination-deficient K164 to arginine (K164R) mutant of PCNA against a library of S. cerevisiae temperature-sensitive alleles. The SGA signature of the K164R allele showed a striking correlation with profiles of mutants deficient in various aspects of lagging strand replication, including rad27Δ and elg1Δ. Rad27 is the primary flap endonuclease that processes 5' flaps generated during lagging strand replication, whereas Elg1 has been implicated in unloading PCNA from chromatin. We observed chronic ubiquitination of PCNA at K164 in both rad27Δ and elg1Δ mutants. Notably, only rad27Δ cells exhibited a decline in cell viability upon elimination of PRR pathways, whereas elg1Δ mutants were not affected. We further provide evidence that K164 ubiquitination suppresses replication stress resulting from defective flap processing during Okazaki fragment maturation. Accordingly, ablation of PCNA ubiquitination increased S phase checkpoint activation, indicated by hyperphosphorylation of the Rad53 kinase. Furthermore, we demonstrate that alternative flap processing by overexpression of catalytically active exonuclease 1 eliminates PCNA ubiquitination. This suggests a model in which unprocessed flaps may directly participate in PRR signaling. Our findings demonstrate that PCNA ubiquitination at K164 in response to replication stress is not limited to DNA synthesis defects but extends to DNA processing during lagging strand replication.

Rad53-Mediated Regulation of Rrm3 and Pif1 DNA Helicases Contributes to Prevention of Aberrant Fork Transitions under Replication Stress

Replication stress activates the Mec1^ATR and Rad53 kinases. Rad53 phosphorylates nuclear pores to counteract gene gating, thus preventing aberrant transitions at forks approaching transcribed genes. Here, we show that Rrm3 and Pif1, DNA helicases assisting fork progression across pausing sites, are detrimental in rad53 mutants experiencing replication stress. Rrm3 and Pif1 ablations rescue cell lethality, chromosome fragmentation, replisome-fork dissociation, fork reversal, and processing in rad53 cells. Through phosphorylation, Rad53 regulates Rrm3 and Pif1; phospho-mimicking rrm3 mutants ameliorate rad53 phenotypes following replication stress without affecting replication across pausing elements under normal conditions. Hence, the Mec1-Rad53 axis protects fork stability by regulating nuclear pores and DNA helicases. We propose that following replication stress, forks stall in an asymmetric conformation by inhibiting Rrm3 and Pif1, thus impeding lagging strand extension and preventing fork reversal; conversely, under unperturbed conditions, the peculiar conformation of forks encountering pausing sites would depend on active Rrm3 and Pif1.

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Rrm3 and Pif1 promote fork reversal and ssDNA gaps at stalled forks in rad53 cells

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Rrm3 and Pif1 associate with stalled DNA replication forks

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Rad53 phosphorylates Rrm3 and Pif1 at stalled forks

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Rrm3 and Pif1 promote chromosome fragility in hydroxyurea-treated rad53 cells

The Bacteroides sp. 3_1_23 Pif1 protein is a multifunctional helicase

ScPif1 DNA helicase is the prototypical member of a 5′-to-3′ helicase superfamily conserved from bacteria to human and plays various roles in the maintenance of genomic homeostasis. While many studies have been performed with eukaryotic Pif1 helicases, including yeast and human Pif1 proteins, the potential functions and biochemical properties of prokaryotic Pif1 helicases remain largely unknown. Here, we report the expression, purification and biochemical analysis of Pif1 helicase from Bacteroides sp. 3_1_23 (BsPif1). BsPif1 binds to a large panel of DNA substrates and, in particular, efficiently unwinds partial duplex DNAs with 5′-overhang, fork-like substrates, D-loop and flap-like substrates, suggesting that BsPif1 may act at stalled DNA replication forks and enhance Okazaki fragment maturation. Like its eukaryotic homologues, BsPif1 resolves R-loop structures and unwinds DNA–RNA hybrids. Furthermore, BsPif1 efficiently unfolds G-quadruplexes and disrupts nucleoprotein complexes. Altogether, these results highlight that prokaryotic Pif1 helicases may resolve common issues that arise during DNA transactions. Interestingly, we found that BsPif1 is different from yeast Pif1, but resembles more human Pif1 with regard to substrate specificity, helicase activity and mode of action. These findings are discussed in the context of the possible functions of prokaryotic Pif1 helicases in vivo.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Dna2 can function as a sole nuclease in the processing of Okazaki fragments in DNA replication

During DNA replication, synthesis of the lagging strand occurs in stretches termed Okazaki fragments. Before adjacent fragments are ligated, any flaps resulting from the displacement of the 5' DNA end of the Okazaki fragment must be cleaved. Previously, Dna2 was implicated to function upstream of flap endonuclease 1 (Fen1 or Rad27) in the processing of long flaps bound by the replication protein A (RPA). Here we show that Dna2 efficiently cleaves long DNA flaps exactly at or directly adjacent to the base. A fraction of the flaps cleaved by Dna2 can be immediately ligated. When coupled with DNA replication, the flap processing activity of Dna2 leads to a nearly complete Okazaki fragment maturation at sub-nanomolar Dna2 concentrations. Our results indicate that a subsequent nucleolytic activity of Fen1 is not required in most cases. In contrast Dna2 is completely incapable to cleave short flaps. We show that also Dna2, like Fen1, interacts with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). We propose a model where Dna2 alone is responsible for cleaving of RPA-bound long flaps, while Fen1 or exonuclease 1 (Exo1) cleave short flaps. Our results argue that Dna2 can function in a separate, rather than in a Fen1-dependent pathway.

Human exonuclease 1 (EXO1) activity characterization and its function on flap structures

We report biochemical characterization of human full-length EXO1 including thermodynamic stability and flap activity on DNA flap structures. Our results reveal novel mechanistic insights into the processing of flap structures and a possible role of EXO1 in strand displacement.

Human exonuclease 1 (EXO1) is involved in multiple DNA metabolism processes, including DNA repair and replication. Most of the fundamental roles of EXO1 have been described in yeast. Here, we report a biochemical characterization of human full-length EXO1. Prior to assay EXO1 on different DNA flap structures, we determined factors essential for the thermodynamic stability of EXO1. We show that enzymatic activity and stability of EXO1 on DNA is modulated by temperature. By characterization of EXO1 flap activity using various DNA flap substrates, we show that EXO1 has a strong capacity for degrading double stranded DNA and has a modest endonuclease or 5′ flap activity. Furthermore, we report novel mechanistic insights into the processing of flap structures, showing that EXO1 preferentially cleaves one nucleotide inwards in a double stranded region of a forked and nicked DNA flap substrates, suggesting a possible role of EXO1 in strand displacement.

Base excision repair of oxidative DNA damage coupled with removal of a CAG repeat hairpin attenuates trinucleotide repeat expansion

Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion is responsible for numerous human neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recent studies have shown that DNA base excision repair (BER) can mediate TNR expansion and deletion by removing base lesions in different locations of a TNR tract, indicating that BER can promote or prevent TNR expansion in a damage location–dependent manner. In this study, we provide the first evidence that the repair of a DNA base lesion located in the loop region of a CAG repeat hairpin can remove the hairpin, attenuating repeat expansion. We found that an 8-oxoguanine located in the loop region of CAG hairpins of varying sizes was removed by OGG1 leaving an abasic site that was subsequently 5′-incised by AP endonuclease 1, introducing a single-strand breakage in the hairpin loop. This converted the hairpin into a double-flap intermediate with a 5′- and 3′-flap that was cleaved by flap endonuclease 1 and a 3′-5′ endonuclease Mus81/Eme1, resulting in complete or partial removal of the CAG hairpin. This further resulted in prevention and attenuation of repeat expansion. Our results demonstrate that TNR expansion can be prevented via BER in hairpin loops that is coupled with the removal of TNR hairpins.