scholarly journals An anionic ligand snap-locks a long-range interaction in a magnesium-folded riboswitch

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Yadav ◽  
Julia R. Widom ◽  
Adrien Chauvier ◽  
Nils G. Walter

AbstractThe archetypical transcriptional crcB fluoride riboswitch from Bacillus cereus is an intricately structured non-coding RNA element enhancing gene expression in response to toxic levels of fluoride. Here, we used single molecule FRET to uncover three dynamically interconverting conformations appearing along the transcription process: two distinct undocked states and one pseudoknotted docked state. We find that the fluoride anion specifically snap-locks the magnesium-induced, dynamically docked state. The long-range, nesting, single base pair A40-U48 acts as the main linchpin, rather than the multiple base pairs comprising the pseudoknot. We observe that the proximally paused RNA polymerase further fine-tunes the free energy to promote riboswitch docking. Finally, we show that fluoride binding at short transcript lengths is an early step toward partitioning folding into the docked conformation. These results reveal how the anionic fluoride ion cooperates with the magnesium-associated RNA to govern regulation of downstream genes needed for fluoride detoxification of the cell.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Yadav ◽  
Julia Widom ◽  
Adrien Chauvier ◽  
Nils Walter

Abstract The archetypical transcriptional crcB fluoride riboswitch from Bacillus cereus is an intricately structured non-coding RNA element enhancing gene expression in response to toxic levels of fluoride. Here, we used single molecule FRET to uncover three dynamically interconverting conformations appearing along the transcription process: two distinct undocked states and one pseudoknotted docked state. We find that the fluoride anion specifically snap-locks the magnesium-induced, dynamically docked state. The long-range, nesting, single base pair A40-U48 acts as the main linchpin, rather than the multiple base pairs comprising the pseudoknot. We observe that the proximally paused RNA polymerase further fine-tunes the free energy to promote riboswitch docking. Finally, we show that fluoride binding at short transcript lengths is an early step toward partitioning folding into the docked conformation. These results reveal how the anionic fluoride ion cooperates with the magnesium-associated RNA to govern regulation of downstream genes needed for fluoride detoxification of the cell.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luuk Loeff ◽  
Stan J.J. Brouns ◽  
Chirlmin Joo

CRISPR-Cas loci provide an RNA-guided adaptive immune system against invading genetic elements. Interference in type I systems relies on the RNA-guided surveillance complex Cascade for target DNA recognition and the trans-acting Cas3 helicase/nuclease protein for target degradation. Even though the biochemistry of CRISPR interference has been largely covered, the biophysics of DNA unwinding and coupling of the helicase and nuclease domains of Cas3 remains elusive. Here we employed single-molecule FRET to probe the helicase activity with a high spatiotemporal resolution. We show that Cas3 remains tightly associated with the target-bound Cascade complex while reeling in the target DNA using a spring-loaded mechanism. This spring-loaded reeling occurs in distinct bursts of three base pairs, that each underlie three successive 1-nt unwinding events. Reeling is highly repetitive, compensating for inefficient nicking activity of the nuclease domain. Our study reveals that the discontinuous helicase properties of Cas3 and its tight interaction with Cascade ensure well controlled degradation of target DNA only.


2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Szczelkun

To cleave DNA, the Type III RM (restriction–modification) enzymes must communicate the relative orientation of two recognition sequences, which may be separated by many thousands of base pairs. This long-range interaction requires ATP hydrolysis by a helicase domain, and both active (DNA translocation) and passive (DNA sliding) modes of motion along DNA have been proposed. Potential roles for ATP binding and hydrolysis by the helicase domains are discussed, with a focus on bipartite ATPases that act as molecular switches.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaewon Kirk ◽  
Ju Yeon Lee ◽  
Yejin Lee ◽  
Chanshin Kang ◽  
Soochul Shin ◽  
...  

AbstractChromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 1 (CHD1) remodels chromatin by translocating nucleosomes along DNA, but its mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we employ a single-molecule fluorescence approach to characterize nucleosome remodeling by yeast CHD1 (Chd1p). We show that Chd1p translocates nucleosomes in steps of multiple base pairs per ATP. ATP binding to Chd1p induces a transient unwrapping of the exit-side DNA, and facilitates nucleosome translocation. ATP hydrolysis induces nucleosome translocation, which is followed by the rewrapping upon the release of the hydrolyzed nucleotide. Multiple Chd1ps binding to a single nucleosome sequentially moves a histone octamer with a preference to the center of DNA fragments, suggesting a new mechanism for regularly spaced nucleosome generation by Chd1p. Our results reveal the unique mechanism by which Chd1p remodels nucleosomes.Significance StatementThere are four major ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler families: SWI/SNF, ISWI, CHD, and INO80/SWR1. The remodeling mechanisms of SWI/SNF and ISWI chromatin remodelers have been elucidated through extensive single-molecule studies, but it remains poorly understood how CHD chromatin remodeler operate. We use single-molecule FRET techniques, and show that Yeast CHD1 uses unique mechanisms to remodel a nucleosome.


2002 ◽  
Vol 718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Yu ◽  
X. J. Meng ◽  
J.L. Sun ◽  
G.S. Wang ◽  
J.H. Chu

AbstractIn this paper, size-induced ferroelectricit yweakening, phase transformation, and anomalous lattice expansion are observed in nanocrystalline BaTiO3 (nc-BaTiO3) deriv ed b y low temperature hydrothermal methods, and they are w ellunderstood using the terms of the long-range interaction and its cooperative phenomena altered by particle size in covalen t ionic nanocrystals. In cubic nc-BaTiO3, five modes centerd at 186, 254, 308, 512 and 716 cm-1 are observed Raman active in cubic nanophase, and they are attributed to local rhombohedral distortion breaking inversion-symmetry in cubic nanophase. The254 and 308 cm-1 modes are significantly affected not only by the concentration of hydroxyl defects, but also their particular configuration. And the 806 cm-1 modes found to be closely associated with OH - absorbed on grain boundaries.


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