Deep-etched, replicated DNA toruses held on edge in ice demonstrate a complex 3-D substructure by extensive tilting along shadowing direction

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 714-715
Author(s):  
George C. Ruben ◽  
Kenneth A. Marx
Keyword(s):  
Companion Paper ◽  
Dna Topology ◽  
Biochemical Data ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Yield Information ◽  
Calf Thymus ◽  
Dna Organization ◽  
Condensed Dna

Torus shaped spermidine-DNA structures formed in vitro are thought to have a DNA organization similar to certain double stranded DNA bacteriophage and viruses. For this reason we have used freeze-etch low Pt-C metal replica TEM to visualize toruses formed from a variety of condensed DNAs. Both Calf Thymus DNA and circular and linear ϕX-174 RFII DNA freeze-etch TEM and biochemical data support a circumferential DNA winding model for hydrated spermidine-condensed DNA toruses. Heretofore, we utilized stereoscopic measurements from tilt views of thin replicas (60-90 Å) of toruses to yield information about the DNA topology and thickness of these objects. In a companion paper in these proceedings we examine the precision of such stereoscopic measurements on tilt micrographs of a torus. In our attempts to visualize DNA toruses we have noted that deep-etched toruses are generally suspended above the surface by virtue of a residual attachment to the ice.

Discrimination of monomer from multimer DNA disk-shaped toruses by freezeetch TEM

1984 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 210-211
Author(s):  
George C. Ruben ◽  
Kenneth A. Marx
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Data ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Data Support ◽  
Dna Organization ◽  
Trivalent Cations

In vitro collapse of DNA by trivalent cations like spermidine produces torus (donut) shaped DNA structures thought to have a DNA organization similar to certain double stranded DNA bacteriophage and viruses. This has prompted our studies of these structures using freeze-etch low Pt-C metal (9Å) replica TEM. With a variety of DNAs the TEM and biochemical data support a circumferential DNA winding model for hydrated DNA torus organization. Since toruses are almost invariably oriented nearly horizontal to the ice surface one of the most accessible parameters of a torus population is annulus (ring) thickness. We have tabulated this parameter for populations of both nicked, circular (Fig. 1: n=63) and linear (n=40: data not shown) ϕX-174 DNA toruses. In both cases, as can be noted in Fig. 1, there appears to be a compact grouping of toruses possessing smaller dimensions separated from a dispersed population possessing considerably larger dimensions.

Torus Circumference and Thickness Parameters From a Linear DNA Size Series Suggest How Toruses Self-Assemble

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 522-523
Author(s):  
George C. Ruben ◽  
Kenneth A. Marx
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Structure ◽  
Dna Complexes ◽  
Tertiary Structures ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Calf Thymus ◽  
Dna Organization ◽  
Condensed Dna ◽  
Dna Size

Certain double stranded DNA bacteriophage and viruses are thought to have their DNA organized into large torus shaped structures. Morphologically, these poorly understood biological DNA tertiary structures resemble spermidine-condensed DNA complexes formed in vitro in the total absence of other macromolecules normally synthesized by the pathogens for the purpose of their own DNA packaging. Therefore, we have studied the tertiary structure of these self-assembling torus shaped spermidine- DNA complexes in a series of reports. Using freeze-etch, low Pt-C metal (10-15Å) replicas, we have visualized the microscopic DNA organization of both calf Thymus( CT) and linear 0X-174 RFII DNA toruses. In these structures DNA is circumferentially wound, continuously, around the torus into a semi-crystalline, hexagonal packed array of parallel DNA helix sections.

Strategies for error reduction in high-magnification stereoscopic measurements based on error equation calculations

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 704-705
Author(s):  
George C. Ruben ◽  
Kenneth A. Marx
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Calf Thymus Dna ◽  
High Magnification ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Error Magnitude ◽  
Calf Thymus ◽  
Dna Organization ◽  
Vitro Model

We have used freeze-fracture TEM to visualize toroidal shaped spermidine Calf Thymus DNA complexes. DNA collapsed into these complexes represents an in vitro model system for the packaging of double stranded DNA in bacteriophage and virus heads. Both freeze fracture TEM and biochemical data support a circumferential DNA winding model for DNA organization in the hydrated torus. To better understand this microscopic DNA organization we made stereoscopic measurements of surface DNA topology in high-resolution eucentric tilt views of freeze-etch, single direction shadowed, low Pt-C metal (9Å) replicas. Here we calculate and discuss the error magnitude associated with these modern high-magnification stereoscopic measurements. Freeze fracture TEM was performed on spermidine-condensed Calf Thymus DNA samples as previously described. Micrographs (105 x with a JEM 100 CX) were printed at 2.5 x 105 for measurement with a floating-mark stereometer (SB 190 Mirror Stereoscope, Cartographic Eng. Ltd.). Figure 1 shows the DNA torus we made measurements on.

scholarly journals The Functional Consequences of Eukaryotic Topoisomerase 1 Interaction with G-Quadruplex DNA

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Alexandra Berroyer ◽  
Nayun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Topoisomerase I ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Dna Topology ◽  
Single Strand Break ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
G4 Dna ◽  
G Quadruplex

Topoisomerase I in eukaryotic cells is an important regulator of DNA topology. Its catalytic function is to remove positive or negative superhelical tension by binding to duplex DNA, creating a reversible single-strand break, and finally religating the broken strand. Proper maintenance of DNA topological homeostasis, in turn, is critically important in the regulation of replication, transcription, DNA repair, and other processes of DNA metabolism. One of the cellular processes regulated by the DNA topology and thus by Topoisomerase I is the formation of non-canonical DNA structures. Non-canonical or non-B DNA structures, including the four-stranded G-quadruplex or G4 DNA, are potentially pathological in that they interfere with replication or transcription, forming hotspots of genome instability. In this review, we first describe the role of Topoisomerase I in reducing the formation of non-canonical nucleic acid structures in the genome. We further discuss the interesting recent discovery that Top1 and Top1 mutants bind to G4 DNA structures in vivo and in vitro and speculate on the possible consequences of these interactions.

scholarly journals Ku polypeptides synthesized in vitro assemble into complexes which recognize ends of double-stranded DNA.

1992 ◽  
Vol 267 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-338
Author(s):  
A J Griffith ◽  
P R Blier ◽  
T Mimori ◽  
J A Hardin
Keyword(s):  
Double Stranded Dna

scholarly journals The double-stranded DNA-binding proteins TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 form a telomeric complex with POT-1

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Dietz ◽  
Miguel Vasconcelos Almeida ◽  
Emily Nischwitz ◽  
Jan Schreier ◽  
Nikenza Viceconte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Proteomics ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Telomere Sequence ◽  
Proteomics Approach ◽  
Telomeric Protein ◽  
Regulate Telomere Length

AbstractTelomeres are bound by dedicated proteins, which protect them from DNA damage and regulate telomere length homeostasis. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a comprehensive understanding of the proteins interacting with the telomere sequence is lacking. Here, we harnessed a quantitative proteomics approach to identify TEBP-1 and TEBP-2, two paralogs expressed in the germline and embryogenesis that associate to telomeres in vitro and in vivo. tebp-1 and tebp-2 mutants display strikingly distinct phenotypes: tebp-1 mutants have longer telomeres than wild-type animals, while tebp-2 mutants display shorter telomeres and a Mortal Germline. Notably, tebp-1;tebp-2 double mutant animals have synthetic sterility, with germlines showing signs of severe mitotic and meiotic arrest. Furthermore, we show that POT-1 forms a telomeric complex with TEBP-1 and TEBP-2, which bridges TEBP-1/-2 with POT-2/MRT-1. These results provide insights into the composition and organization of a telomeric protein complex in C. elegans.

scholarly journals DisA Limits RecG Activities at Stalled or Reversed Replication Forks

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1357
Author(s):  
Rubén Torres ◽  
Carolina Gándara ◽  
Begoña Carrasco ◽  
Ignacio Baquedano ◽  
Silvia Ayora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Holliday Junctions ◽  
Genome Integrity ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Dna Unwinding ◽  
Replication Forks ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Checkpoint Protein

The DNA damage checkpoint protein DisA and the branch migration translocase RecG are implicated in the preservation of genome integrity in reviving haploid Bacillus subtilis spores. DisA synthesizes the essential cyclic 3′, 5′-diadenosine monophosphate (c‑di-AMP) second messenger and such synthesis is suppressed upon replication perturbation. In vitro, c-di-AMP synthesis is suppressed when DisA binds DNA structures that mimic stalled or reversed forks (gapped forks or Holliday junctions [HJ]). RecG, which does not form a stable complex with DisA, unwinds branched intermediates, and in the presence of a limiting ATP concentration and HJ DNA, it blocks DisA-mediated c-di-AMP synthesis. DisA pre-bound to a stalled or reversed fork limits RecG-mediated ATP hydrolysis and DNA unwinding, but not if RecG is pre-bound to stalled or reversed forks. We propose that RecG-mediated fork remodeling is a genuine in vivo activity, and that DisA, as a molecular switch, limits RecG-mediated fork reversal and fork restoration. DisA and RecG might provide more time to process perturbed forks, avoiding genome breakage.

scholarly journals Analysis of Ribonucleotide 5′-Triphosphate Analogs as Potential Inhibitors of Zika Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase by Using Nonradioactive Polymerase Assays

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaofei Lu ◽  
Gregory R. Bluemling ◽  
Paul Collop ◽  
Michael Hager ◽  
Damien Kuiper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Antiviral Compounds ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Virus Rna ◽  
Potential Inhibitors

ABSTRACT Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging human pathogen that is spreading rapidly through the Americas and has been linked to the development of microcephaly and to a dramatically increased number of Guillain-Barré syndrome cases. Currently, no vaccine or therapeutic options for the prevention or treatment of ZIKV infections exist. In the study described in this report, we expressed, purified, and characterized full-length nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) and the NS5 polymerase domain (NS5pol) of ZIKV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Using purified NS5, we developed an in vitro nonradioactive primer extension assay employing a fluorescently labeled primer-template pair. Both purified NS5 and NS5pol can carry out in vitro RNA-dependent RNA synthesis in this assay. Our results show that Mn2+ is required for enzymatic activity, while Mg2+ is not. We found that ZIKV NS5 can utilize single-stranded DNA but not double-stranded DNA as a template or a primer to synthesize RNA. The assay was used to compare the efficiency of incorporation of analog 5′-triphosphates by the ZIKV polymerase and to calculate their discrimination versus that of natural ribonucleotide triphosphates (rNTPs). The 50% inhibitory concentrations for analog rNTPs were determined in an alternative nonradioactive coupled-enzyme assay. We determined that, in general, 2′-C-methyl- and 2′-C-ethynyl-substituted analog 5′-triphosphates were efficiently incorporated by the ZIKV polymerase and were also efficient chain terminators. Derivatives of these molecules may serve as potential antiviral compounds to be developed to combat ZIKV infection. This report provides the first characterization of ZIKV polymerase and demonstrates the utility of in vitro polymerase assays in the identification of potential ZIKV inhibitors.

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