scholarly journals A Unique 45-Amino-Acid Region in the Toprim Domain of Plasmodium falciparum Gyrase B Is Essential for Its Activity

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1759-1769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashraf Dar ◽  
Dhaneswar Prusty ◽  
Neelima Mondal ◽  
Suman K. Dhar
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Dna Cleavage ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Dna Gyrase ◽  
Binding Region ◽  
Amino Acid Region ◽  
Acid Region

ABSTRACT DNA gyrase is the only topoisomerase that can introduce negative supercoils into the DNA at the cost of ATP hydrolysis. Some but not all the steps of the topoisomerization reaction are understood clearly for both eukaryotic topoII and DNA gyrase. This study is an attempt to understand whether the B subunit of DNA gyrase binds to DNA directly, which may be central to the stimulation of its ATPase activity essential for gyrase function. We have dissected the Plasmodium falciparum gyrase B (PfGyrB) subunit to identify a 45-amino-acid region in the toprim domain that is responsible for its intrinsic DNA binding activity, DNA-stimulated ATPase activity, and DNA cleavage. We find that DNA has to enter through the ATP-operated clamp of PfGyrB to gain access to the DNA binding region. Furthermore, the rate of ATP hydrolysis of PfGyrB increases significantly with increasing DNA length, suggesting a possible communication between the ATPase domain and the DNA binding region that can account for its optimal ATPase activity. These results not only highlight the mechanism of GyrB action in the deadly human parasite P. falciparum but also provide meaningful insights into the current mechanistic model of DNA transport by gyrase during the topoisomerization reaction.

scholarly journals Molecular Cloning of Apicoplast-Targeted Plasmodium falciparum DNA Gyrase Genes: Unique Intrinsic ATPase Activity and ATP-Independent Dimerization of PfGyrB Subunit

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Ashraf Dar ◽  
Atul Sharma ◽  
Neelima Mondal ◽  
Suman Kumar Dhar
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Dna Cleavage ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Dna Gyrase ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Malarial Parasite ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Linear Pattern ◽  
Gyrase A

ABSTRACT DNA gyrase, a typical type II topoisomerase that can introduce negative supercoils in DNA, is essential for replication and transcription in prokaryotes. The apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum contains the genes for both gyrase A and gyrase B in its genome. Due to the large sizes of both proteins and the unusual codon usage of the highly AT-rich P. falciparum gyrA (PfgyrA) and PfgyrB genes, it has so far been impossible to characterize these proteins, which could be excellent drug targets. Here, we report the cloning, expression, and functional characterization of full-length PfGyrB and functional domains of PfGyrA. Unlike Escherichia coli GyrB, PfGyrB shows strong intrinsic ATPase activity and follows a linear pattern of ATP hydrolysis characteristic of dimer formation in the absence of ATP analogues. These unique features have not been reported for any known gyrase so far. The PfgyrB gene complemented the E. coli gyrase temperature-sensitive strain, and, together with the N-terminal domain of PfGyrA, it showed typical DNA cleavage activity. Furthermore, PfGyrA contains a unique leucine heptad repeat that might be responsible for dimerization. These results confirm the presence of DNA gyrase in eukaryotes and confer great potential for drug development and organelle DNA replication in the deadliest human malarial parasite, P. falciparum.

scholarly journals The DNA-binding specificity of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 3/forkhead domain is influenced by amino-acid residues adjacent to the recognition helix.

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 2755-2766 ◽  
Author(s):  
D G Overdier ◽  
A Porcella ◽  
R H Costa
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor ◽  
Binding Properties ◽  
Winged Helix ◽  
Amino Acid Region ◽  
Dna Binding Specificity ◽  
Recognition Helix ◽  
Dna Binding Properties ◽  
Acid Region

Three distinct hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 (HNF-3) proteins (HNF-3 alpha, -3 beta, and -3 gamma) are known to regulate the transcription of liver-specific genes. The HNF-3 proteins bind to DNA as a monomer through a modified helix-turn-helix, known as the winged helix motif, which is also utilized by a number of developmental regulators, including the Drosophila homeotic forkhead (fkh) protein. We have previously described the isolation, from rodent tissue, of an extensive family of tissue-specific HNF-3/fkh homolog (HFH) genes sharing homology in their winged helix motifs. In this report, we have determined the preferred DNA-binding consensus sequence for the HNF-3 beta protein as well as for two divergent family members, HFH-1 and HFH-2. We show that these HNF-3/fkh proteins bind to distinct DNA sites and that the specificity of protein recognition is dependent on subtle nucleotide alterations in the site. The HNF-3, HFH-1, and HFH-2 consensus binding sequences were also used to search DNA regulatory regions to identify potential target genes. Furthermore, an analysis of the DNA-binding properties of a series of HFH-1/HNF-3 beta protein chimeras has allowed us to identify a 20-amino-acid region, located adjacent to the DNA recognition helix, which contributes to DNA-binding specificity. These sequences are not involved in base-specific contacts and include residues which diverge within the HNF-3/fkh family. Replacement of this 20-amino-acid region in HNF-3 beta with corresponding residues from HFH-1 enabled the HNF-3 beta recognition helix to bind only HFH-1-specific DNA-binding sites. We propose a model in which this 20-amino-acid flanking region influences the DNA-binding properties of the recognition helix.

scholarly journals The DNA-binding specificity of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 3/forkhead domain is influenced by amino-acid residues adjacent to the recognition helix

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 2755-2766
Author(s):  
D G Overdier ◽  
A Porcella ◽  
R H Costa
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor ◽  
Binding Properties ◽  
Winged Helix ◽  
Amino Acid Region ◽  
Dna Binding Specificity ◽  
Recognition Helix ◽  
Dna Binding Properties ◽  
Acid Region

Three distinct hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 (HNF-3) proteins (HNF-3 alpha, -3 beta, and -3 gamma) are known to regulate the transcription of liver-specific genes. The HNF-3 proteins bind to DNA as a monomer through a modified helix-turn-helix, known as the winged helix motif, which is also utilized by a number of developmental regulators, including the Drosophila homeotic forkhead (fkh) protein. We have previously described the isolation, from rodent tissue, of an extensive family of tissue-specific HNF-3/fkh homolog (HFH) genes sharing homology in their winged helix motifs. In this report, we have determined the preferred DNA-binding consensus sequence for the HNF-3 beta protein as well as for two divergent family members, HFH-1 and HFH-2. We show that these HNF-3/fkh proteins bind to distinct DNA sites and that the specificity of protein recognition is dependent on subtle nucleotide alterations in the site. The HNF-3, HFH-1, and HFH-2 consensus binding sequences were also used to search DNA regulatory regions to identify potential target genes. Furthermore, an analysis of the DNA-binding properties of a series of HFH-1/HNF-3 beta protein chimeras has allowed us to identify a 20-amino-acid region, located adjacent to the DNA recognition helix, which contributes to DNA-binding specificity. These sequences are not involved in base-specific contacts and include residues which diverge within the HNF-3/fkh family. Replacement of this 20-amino-acid region in HNF-3 beta with corresponding residues from HFH-1 enabled the HNF-3 beta recognition helix to bind only HFH-1-specific DNA-binding sites. We propose a model in which this 20-amino-acid flanking region influences the DNA-binding properties of the recognition helix.

The Oct-2 glutamine-rich and proline-rich activation domains can synergize with each other or duplicates of themselves to activate transcription

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 6046-6055
Author(s):  
M Tanaka ◽  
W M Clouston ◽  
W Herr
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Activation Domain ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Amino Acid Region ◽  
Pou Domain ◽  
Octamer Motif ◽  
P Domain ◽  
Acid Region

The B-cell POU homeodomain protein Oct-2 contains two transcriptional activation domains, one N terminal and the other C terminal of the central DNA-binding POU domain. The synergistic action of these two activation domains makes Oct-2 a more potent activator of mRNA promoters than the related broadly expressed octamer motif-binding protein Oct-1, which contains an N-terminal but not a C-terminal Oct-2-like activation domain. Both Oct-2 mRNA promoter activation domains were delineated by truncation analysis: the N-terminal Q domain is a 66-amino-acid region rich in glutamines, and the C-terminal P domain is a 42-amino-acid region rich in prolines. The Q and P domains synergized with each other or duplicates of themselves, independently of their N-terminal or C-terminal position relative to the POU domain. The C-terminal P domain, which differentiates Oct-2 from Oct-1, also activated transcription in conjunction with the heterologous GAL4 DNA-binding domain. Oct-2 thus contains three modular functional units, the DNA-binding POU domain and the two P and Q activation domains. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay with a variety of these Oct-2 activators revealed a distinct complex called QA that was dependent on the presence of an active glutamine-rich activation domain and migrated more slowly than the Oct-2-DNA complexes. Formation of the QA complex is consistent with interaction of the glutamine-rich activation domains with a regulatory protein important for the process of transcriptional activation.

scholarly journals The Oct-2 glutamine-rich and proline-rich activation domains can synergize with each other or duplicates of themselves to activate transcription.

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 6046-6055 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Tanaka ◽  
W M Clouston ◽  
W Herr
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Activation Domain ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Amino Acid Region ◽  
Pou Domain ◽  
Octamer Motif ◽  
P Domain ◽  
Acid Region

The B-cell POU homeodomain protein Oct-2 contains two transcriptional activation domains, one N terminal and the other C terminal of the central DNA-binding POU domain. The synergistic action of these two activation domains makes Oct-2 a more potent activator of mRNA promoters than the related broadly expressed octamer motif-binding protein Oct-1, which contains an N-terminal but not a C-terminal Oct-2-like activation domain. Both Oct-2 mRNA promoter activation domains were delineated by truncation analysis: the N-terminal Q domain is a 66-amino-acid region rich in glutamines, and the C-terminal P domain is a 42-amino-acid region rich in prolines. The Q and P domains synergized with each other or duplicates of themselves, independently of their N-terminal or C-terminal position relative to the POU domain. The C-terminal P domain, which differentiates Oct-2 from Oct-1, also activated transcription in conjunction with the heterologous GAL4 DNA-binding domain. Oct-2 thus contains three modular functional units, the DNA-binding POU domain and the two P and Q activation domains. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay with a variety of these Oct-2 activators revealed a distinct complex called QA that was dependent on the presence of an active glutamine-rich activation domain and migrated more slowly than the Oct-2-DNA complexes. Formation of the QA complex is consistent with interaction of the glutamine-rich activation domains with a regulatory protein important for the process of transcriptional activation.

scholarly journals Defining the Functionally Important Domain and Amino Acid Residues in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Integration Host Factor for Genome Stability, DNA Binding, and Integrative Recombination

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narayanaswamy Sharadamma ◽  
Yadumurthy Harshavardhana ◽  
K. Muniyappa
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Integration Host Factor ◽  
Host Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Amino Acid Region ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Acid Region

ABSTRACT The integration host factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (mIHF) consists of a single polypeptide chain, the product of the ihf gene. We previously revealed that mIHF is a novel member of a new class of nucleoid-associated proteins that have important roles in DNA damage response, nucleoid compaction, and integrative recombination. The mIHF contains a region of 86 amino acids at its N terminus, absent from both α- and β-subunits of Escherichia coli IHF. However, the functional significance of an extra 86-amino-acid region in the full-length protein remains unknown. Here, we report the structure/function relationship of the DNA-binding and integrative recombination-stimulating activity of mIHF. Deletion mutagenesis showed that an extra 86-amino-acid region at the N terminus is dispensable; the C-terminal region possesses the sequences essential for its known biological functions, including the ability to suppress the sensitivity of E. coli ΔihfA and ΔihfB cells to DNA-damaging agents, DNA binding, DNA multimerization-circularization, and stimulation of phage L5 integrase-catalyzed integrative recombination. Single and double alanine substitutions at positions Arg170 and Arg171, located at the mIHF DNA-binding site, abrogated its capacity to suppress the sensitivity of E. coli ΔihfA and ΔihfB cells to DNA-damaging agents. The variants encoded by these mutant alleles failed to bind DNA and stimulate integrative recombination. Interestingly, the DNA-binding activity of the mIHF-R173A variant remained largely unaffected; however, it was unable to stimulate integrative recombination, thus revealing a separation-of-function allele of mIHF. The functional and structural characterization of this separation-of-function allele of mIHF could reveal previously unknown functions of IHF. IMPORTANCE The integration host factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a novel nucleoid-associated protein. mIHF plays a vital role in DNA damage response, nucleoid compaction, and integrative recombination. Intriguingly, mIHF contains an extra 86-amino-acid region at its N terminus, absent from both α- and β-subunits of Escherichia coli IHF, whose functional significance is unknown. Furthermore, a triad of arginine residues located at the mIHF-DNA interface have been implicated in a range of its functions. Here, we reveal the roles of N- and C-terminal regions of mIHF and the individual residues in the Arg triad for their ability to provide protection in vivo against DNA damage, bind DNA, and stimulate integrase-catalyzed site-specific recombination.

scholarly journals A Carboxy-Terminal 16-Amino-Acid Region of ς38 ofEscherichia coli Is Important for Transcription under High-Salt Conditions and Sigma Activities In Vivo

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (16) ◽  
pp. 4628-4631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mio Ohnuma ◽  
Nobuyuki Fujita ◽  
Akira Ishihama ◽  
Kan Tanaka ◽  
Hideo Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
High Potassium ◽  
Transcription Analysis ◽  
Amino Acid Region ◽  
Sigma Subunit ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Acid Region

ABSTRACT ς38 (or ςS, the rpoS gene product) is a sigma subunit of RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli and directs transcription from a number of stationary-phase promoters as well as osmotically inducible promoters. In this study, we analyzed the function of the carboxy-terminal 16-amino-acid region of ς38 (residues 315 to 330), which is well conserved among the rpoS gene products of enteric bacterial species. Truncation of this region was shown to result in the loss of sigma activity in vivo using promoter-lacZ fusion constructs, but the mutant ς38 retained the binding activity in vivo to the core enzyme. The in vitro transcription analysis revealed that the transcription activity of ς38 holoenzyme under high potassium glutamate concentrations was significantly decreased by the truncation of the carboxy-terminal tail element.

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