scholarly journals Structure of a Holliday junction complex reveals mechanisms governing a highly regulated DNA transaction

eLife ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurunathan Laxmikanthan ◽  
Chen Xu ◽  
Axel F Brilot ◽  
David Warren ◽  
Lindsay Steele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Recombination ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Holliday Junction ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Recombination Reaction ◽  
Host Chromosome ◽  
Protein Subunits ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Molecular Machinery ◽  
A Site

The molecular machinery responsible for DNA expression, recombination, and compaction has been difficult to visualize as functionally complete entities due to their combinatorial and structural complexity. We report here the structure of the intact functional assembly responsible for regulating and executing a site-specific DNA recombination reaction. The assembly is a 240-bp Holliday junction (HJ) bound specifically by 11 protein subunits. This higher-order complex is a key intermediate in the tightly regulated pathway for the excision of bacteriophage λ viral DNA out of the E. coli host chromosome, an extensively studied paradigmatic model system for the regulated rearrangement of DNA. Our results provide a structural basis for pre-existing data describing the excisive and integrative recombination pathways, and they help explain their regulation.

Bacteriophage HK97: Structural transitions along the capsid assembly pathway

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 112-113
Author(s):  
J. F. Conway ◽  
R. L. Duda ◽  
N. Cheng ◽  
R. W. Hendrix ◽  
A. C. Steven
Keyword(s):  
Capsid Protein ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Protein Subunits ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Assembly Pathway ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Additional Stability

The assembly pathway of the HK97 capsid passes through four stages, starting with the first complete precursor and ending with the mature head. The earliest particle, Prohead I, contains 415-420 copies of the major capsid protein (42kDa) arrayed in a T=7 icosahedral lattice. Proteolytic cleavage (42kDa → 31kDa) converts Prohead I into Prohead II. Expansion of Prohead II into Head I involves a major conformational change that is thought to be triggered in vivo by DNA packaging. The final transition to Head II involves the formation of covalent crosslinks between capsid protein subunits that confer additional stability. We have been examining the structural basis of these transitionsand describe here the Prohead II and Head II states.Highly purified preparations of capsids were prepared either from expression vectors of capsid proteins or from growing phage mutants in E. coli cells. Samples were prepared for electron microscopy in the frozen, hydrated, state, and imaged in a Philips EM400T operating at 100kV, using a Gatan 626 cryo-holder. Micrographs were digitized and three-dimensional density maps were calculated as described.

scholarly journals The Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron Protein Bacteroides Host Factor A Participates in Integration of the Integrative Conjugative Element CTnDOT into the Chromosome

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (8) ◽  
pp. 1339-1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Ringwald ◽  
Jeffrey Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Host Factor ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Recombination Reaction ◽  
Host Chromosome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Integrative And Conjugative Elements ◽  
Integrative Conjugative Element ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
A Site

ABSTRACTCTnDOT is a conjugative transposon found inBacteroidesspecies. It encodes multiple antibiotic resistances and is stimulated to transfer by exposure to tetracycline. CTnDOT integration into the host chromosome requires IntDOT and a previously unknown host factor. We have identified a protein, designated BHFa (Bacteroideshost factor A), that participates in integrative recombination. BHFa is the first host factor identified for a site-specific recombination reaction in the CTnDOT family of integrative and conjugative elements. Based on the amino acid sequence of BHFa, the ability to bind specifically to 4 sites in theattDOTDNA, and its activity in the integration reaction, BHFa is a member of the IHF/HU family of nucleoid-associated proteins. Other DNA bending proteins that bind DNA nonspecifically can substitute for BHFa in the integration reaction.IMPORTANCEBacteroidesspecies are normal members of the human colonic microbiota. These species can harbor and spread self-transmissible genetic elements (integrative conjugative elements [ICEs]) that contain antibiotic resistance genes. This work describes the role of a protein, BHFa, and its importance in the integration reaction required for the element CTnDOT to persist inBacteroideshost cells.

scholarly journals The ripX Locus of Bacillus subtilis Encodes a Site-Specific Recombinase Involved in Proper Chromosome Partitioning

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (19) ◽  
pp. 6053-6062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Sciochetti ◽  
Patrick J. Piggot ◽  
David J. Sherratt ◽  
Garry Blakely
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Holliday Junction ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Chromosome Partitioning ◽  
A Site

ABSTRACT The Bacillus subtilis ripX gene encodes a protein that has 37 and 44% identity with the XerC and XerD site-specific recombinases of Escherichia coli. XerC and XerD are hypothesized to act in concert at the dif site to resolve dimeric chromosomes formed by recombination during replication. Cultures of ripX mutants contained a subpopulation of unequal-size cells held together in long chains. The chains included anucleate cells and cells with aberrantly dense or diffuse nucleoids, indicating a chromosome partitioning failure. This result is consistent with RipX having a role in the resolution of chromosome dimers inB. subtilis. Spores contain a single uninitiated chromosome, and analysis of germinated, outgrowing spores showed that the placement of FtsZ rings and septa is affected in ripXstrains by the first division after the initiation of germination. The introduction of a recA mutation into ripXstrains resulted in only slight modifications of the ripXphenotype, suggesting that chromosome dimers can form in a RecA-independent manner in B. subtilis. In addition to RipX, the CodV protein of B. subtilis shows extensive similarity to XerC and XerD. The RipX and CodV proteins were shown to bind in vitro to DNA containing the E. coli dif site. Together they functioned efficiently in vitro to catalyze site-specific cleavage of an artificial Holliday junction containing adif site. Inactivation of codV alone did not cause a discernible change in phenotype, and it is speculated that RipX can substitute for CodV in vivo.

scholarly journals In Vivo Identification of Intermediate Stages of the DNA Inversion Reaction Catalyzed by the Salmonella Hin Recombinase

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (4) ◽  
pp. 1649-1663
Author(s):  
Oliver Z Nanassy ◽  
Kelly T Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Biochemical Analysis ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Recombination Reaction ◽  
Recombination Site ◽  
Dna Inversion ◽  
Hin Recombinase ◽  
One Step ◽  
A Site

Abstract The Hin recombinase catalyzes a site-specific recombination reaction that results in the reversible inversion of a 1-kbp segment of the Salmonella chromosome. The DNA inversion reaction catalyzed by the Salmonella Hin recombinase is a dynamic process proceeding through many intermediate stages, requiring multiple DNA sites and the Fis accessory protein. Biochemical analysis of this reaction has identified intermediate steps in the inversion reaction but has not yet revealed the process by which transition from one step to another occurs. Because transition from one reaction step to another proceeds through interactions between specific amino acids, and between amino acids and DNA bases, it is possible to study these transitions through mutational analysis of the proteins involved. We isolated a large number of mutants in the Hin recombinase that failed to carry out the DNA exchange reaction. We generated genetic tools that allowed the assignment of these mutants to specific transition steps in the recombination reaction. This genetic analysis, combined with further biochemical analysis, allowed us to define contributions by specific amino acids to individual steps in the DNA inversion reaction. Evidence is also presented in support of a model that Fis protein enhances the binding of Hin to the hixR recombination site. These studies identified regions within the Hin recombinase involved in specific transition steps of the reaction and provided new insights into the molecular details of the reaction mechanism.

scholarly journals On-column Refolding of an Insoluble His6-tagged Recombinant EC-SOD Overexpressed in Escherichia coli

2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi-Qiang Zhu ◽  
Su-Xia Li ◽  
Hua-Jun He ◽  
Qin-Sheng Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Expression Plasmid ◽  
Protein Subunits ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Metal Affinity ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Escherichia Coli Expression

Abstract The EC-SOD cDNA was cloned by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and inserted into the Escherichia coli expression plasmid pET-28a(+) and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). The corresponding protein that was overexpressed as a recombinant His6-tagged EC-SOD was present in the form of inactive inclusion bodies. This structure was first solubilized under denaturant conditions (8.0 M urea). Then, after a capture step using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), a gradual refolding of the protein was performed on-column using a linear urea gradient from 8.0 M to 1.5 M in the presence of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). The mass ratio of GSH to GSSG was 4:1. The purified enzyme was active, showing that at least part of the protein was properly refolded. The protein was made concentrated by ultrafiltration, and then isolated using Sephacryl S-200 HR. There were two protein peaks in the A280 profile. Based on the results of electrophoresis, we concluded that the two fractions were formed by protein subunits of the same mass, and in the fraction where the molecular weight was higher, the dimer was formed through the disulfide bond between subunits. Activities were detected in the two fractions, but the activity of the dimer was much higher than that of the single monomer. The special activities of the two fractions were found to be 3475 U/mg protein and 510 U/mg protein, respectively.

Functional and Structural Characterization of Acquired Pan-Aminoglycoside Resistance 16S rRNA Methyltransferase NpmB1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akito Kawai ◽  
Masahiro Suzuki ◽  
Kentaro Tsukamoto ◽  
Yusuke Minato ◽  
Yohei Doi
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
Amino Acid Identity ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Aminoglycoside Resistance ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Amino Acid Variant ◽  
A Site

Post-translational methylation of the A site of 16S rRNA at position A1408 leads to pan-aminoglycoside resistance encompassing both 4,5- and 4,6-disubstituted 2-deoxystreptamine (DOS) aminoglycosides. To date, NpmA is the only acquired enzyme with such function. Here, we present function and structure of NpmB1 whose sequence was identified in Escherichia coli genomes registered from the United Kingdom. NpmB1 possesses 40% amino acid identity with NpmA1 and confers resistance to all clinically relevant aminoglycosides including 4,5-DOS agents. Phylogenetic analysis of NpmB1 and NpmB2, its single amino acid variant, revealed that the encoding gene was likely acquired by E. coli from a soil bacterium. The structure of NpmB1 suggests that it requires a structural change of the β6/7 linker in order to bind to 16S rRNA. These findings establish NpmB1 and NpmB2 as the second group of acquired pan-aminoglycoside resistance 16S rRNA methyltransferases.

Application of RtcB ligase to monitor self-cleaving ribozyme activity by RNA-seq

2022 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Janett Olzog ◽  
Lena I. Freist ◽  
Robin Goldmann ◽  
Jörg Fallmann ◽  
Christina E. Weinberg
Keyword(s):  
Rna Seq ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Pyrococcus Horikoshii ◽  
Total Rna ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Catalytic Rnas ◽  
Adapter Ligation ◽  
Domains Of Life ◽  
Cyclic Phosphate ◽  
A Site

Abstract Self-cleaving ribozymes are catalytic RNAs and can be found in all domains of life. They catalyze a site-specific cleavage that results in a 5′ fragment with a 2′,3′ cyclic phosphate (2′,3′ cP) and a 3′ fragment with a 5′ hydroxyl (5′ OH) end. Recently, several strategies to enrich self-cleaving ribozymes by targeted biochemical methods have been introduced by us and others. Here, we develop an alternative strategy in which 5ʹ OH RNAs are specifically ligated by RtcB ligase, which first guanylates the 3′ phosphate of the adapter and then ligates it directly to RNAs with 5′ OH ends. Our results demonstrate that adapter ligation to highly structured ribozyme fragments is much more efficient using the thermostable RtcB ligase from Pyrococcus horikoshii than the broadly applied Escherichia coli enzyme. Moreover, we investigated DNA, RNA and modified RNA adapters for their suitability in RtcB ligation reactions. We used the optimized RtcB-mediated ligation to produce RNA-seq libraries and captured a spiked 3ʹ twister ribozyme fragment from E. coli total RNA. This RNA-seq-based method is applicable to detect ribozyme fragments as well as other cellular RNAs with 5ʹ OH termini from total RNA.

Crystallization of E. coli RuvA gives insights into the symmetry of a Holliday junction/protein complex

1997 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Sedelnikova ◽  
J. B. Rafferty ◽  
D. Hargreaves ◽  
A. A. Mahdi ◽  
R. G. Lloyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Complex ◽  
Holliday Junction ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Junction Protein

scholarly journals The Escherichia coli cysG promoter belongs to the ‘extended −10’ class of bacterial promoters

1993 ◽  
Vol 296 (3) ◽  
pp. 851-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Belyaeva ◽  
L Griffiths ◽  
S Minchin ◽  
J Cole ◽  
S Busby
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Run Off ◽  
A Site ◽  
Specific Sequences

The Escherichia coli cysG promoter has been subcloned and shown to function constitutively in a range of different growth conditions. Point mutations identify the -10 hexamer and an important 5′-TGN-3′ motif immediately upstream. The effects of different deletions suggest that specific sequences in the -35 region are not essential for the activity of this promoter in vivo. This conclusion was confirmed by in vitro run-off transcription assays. The DNAase I footprint of RNA polymerase at the cysG promoter reveals extended protection upstream of the transcript start, and studies with potassium permanganate as a probe suggest that the upstream region is distorted in open complexes. Taken together, the results show that the cysG promoter belongs to the ‘extended -10’ class of promoters, and the base sequence is similar to that of the P1 promoter of the E. coli galactose operon, another promoter in this class. In vivo, messenger initiated at the cysG promoter appears to be processed by cleavage at a site 41 bases downstream from the transcript start point.

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