scholarly journals RecQ and Fe–S helicases have unique roles in DNA metabolism dictated by their unwinding directionality, substrate specificity, and protein interactions

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina N. Estep ◽  
Robert M. Brosh

Helicases are molecular motors that play central roles in nucleic acid metabolism. Mutations in genes encoding DNA helicases of the RecQ and iron–sulfur (Fe–S) helicase families are linked to hereditary disorders characterized by chromosomal instabilities, highlighting the importance of these enzymes. Moreover, mono-allelic RecQ and Fe–S helicase mutations are associated with a broad spectrum of cancers. This review will discuss and contrast the specialized molecular functions and biological roles of RecQ and Fe–S helicases in DNA repair, the replication stress response, and the regulation of gene expression, laying a foundation for continued research in these important areas of study.

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Dillingham

Helicases are a ubiquitous and abundant group of motor proteins that couple NTP binding and hydrolysis to processive unwinding of nucleic acids. By targeting this activity to a wide range of specific substrates, and by coupling it with other catalytic functionality, helicases fulfil diverse roles in virtually all aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. The present review takes a look back at our efforts to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of UvrD-like DNA helicases. Using these well-studied enzymes as examples, we also discuss how helicases are programmed by interactions with partner proteins to participate in specific cellular functions.


1991 ◽  
Vol 46 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt Weising ◽  
Günter Kahl

Abstract Over the last decade an intensive research on the regulation of gene expression in viral and animal systems has led to the discovery of cis-acting regulatory sequences, the identification of sequence-specific DNA -binding proteins (trans-acting factors), the characterization of protein domains involved in DNA -protein recognition and binding as well as in protein -protein interactions, and the cloning and sequencing of genes encoding regulatory proteins. The tre­mendous progress in this field is now being complemented by advances in our understanding of how plant genes are regulated. A wealth of data has accumulated in the past few years witnessing basic similarities in the transcriptional regulation of various eukaryotic genes, but also specific features of plant genes. This article collects presently available data, focusses on DNA -protein interactions in plant genes, particularly in light-regulated and “constitutively expressed” genes, reports on the isolation of plant genes encoding regulatory proteins, an dismeant to induce further activities in plant gene research.


2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 907-912
Author(s):  
Marcus P. Cooper ◽  
Amrita Machwe ◽  
David K. Orren ◽  
Robert M. Brosh ◽  
Dale Ramsden ◽  
...  

Werner syndrome (WS) is the hallmark premature aging disorder in which affected humans appear older than their chronological age. The protein WRNp, defective in WS, has helicase function, DNA-dependent ATPase, and exonuclease activity. Although WRNp functions in nucleic acid metabolism, there is little or no information about the pathways or protein interactions in which it participates. Here we identify Ku70 and Ku86 as proteins that interact with WRNp. Although Ku proteins had no effect on ATPase or helicase activity, they strongly stimulated specific exonuclease activity. These results suggest that WRNp and the Ku complex participate in a common DNA metabolic pathway.


1963 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHIO OISHI ◽  
SHIGERU KITAYAMA ◽  
HAJIME TAKAHASHI ◽  
BUNJI MARUO

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Sorokina ◽  
Colin Mclean ◽  
Mike D. R. Croning ◽  
Katharina F. Heil ◽  
Emilia Wysocka ◽  
...  

AbstractGenes encoding synaptic proteins are highly associated with neuronal disorders many of which show clinical co-morbidity. We integrated 58 published synaptic proteomic datasets that describe over 8000 proteins and combined them with direct protein–protein interactions and functional metadata to build a network resource that reveals the shared and unique protein components that underpin multiple disorders. All the data are provided in a flexible and accessible format to encourage custom use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Horne ◽  
Hariprasad Venugopal ◽  
Santosh Panjikar ◽  
David M. Wood ◽  
Amy Henrickson ◽  
...  

AbstractBacteria respond to environmental changes by inducing transcription of some genes and repressing others. Sialic acids, which coat human cell surfaces, are a nutrient source for pathogenic and commensal bacteria. The Escherichia coli GntR-type transcriptional repressor, NanR, regulates sialic acid metabolism, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that three NanR dimers bind a (GGTATA)3-repeat operator cooperatively and with high affinity. Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structures reveal the DNA-binding domain is reorganized to engage DNA, while three dimers assemble in close proximity across the (GGTATA)3-repeat operator. Such an interaction allows cooperative protein-protein interactions between NanR dimers via their N-terminal extensions. The effector, N-acetylneuraminate, binds NanR and attenuates the NanR-DNA interaction. The crystal structure of NanR in complex with N-acetylneuraminate reveals a domain rearrangement upon N-acetylneuraminate binding to lock NanR in a conformation that weakens DNA binding. Our data provide a molecular basis for the regulation of bacterial sialic acid metabolism.


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