Paramagnetic spin labeling of a bacterial DnaB helicase for solid-state NMR

Labeling of biomolecules with a paramagnetic probe for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy enables determining long-range distance restraints, which are otherwise not accessible by classically used dipolar coupling-based NMR approaches. Distance restraints derived from paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) can facilitate the structure determination of large proteins and protein complexes. We herein present the site-directed labeling of the large oligomeric bacterial DnaB helicase from Helicobacter pylori with cysteine-reactive maleimide tags carrying either a nitroxide radical or a lanthanide ion. The success of the labeling reaction was followed by quantitative continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments performed on the nitroxide-labeled protein. PREs were extracted site-specifically from 2D and 3D solid-state NMR spectra. A good agreement with predicted PRE values, derived by computational modeling of nitroxide and Gd3+ tags in the low-resolution DnaB crystal structure, was found. Comparison of experimental PREs and model-predicted spin label-nucleus distances indicated that the size of the "blind sphere" around the paramagnetic center, in which NMR resonances are not detected, is slightly larger for Gd3+ (~14 Å) than for nitroxide (~11 Å) in 13C-detected 2D spectra of DnaB. We also present Gd3+-Gd3+ dipolar electron-electron resonance EPR experiments on DnaB supporting the conclusion that DnaB was present as a hexameric assembly.

Spectroscopic glimpses of the transition state of ATP hydrolysis trapped in a bacterial DnaB helicase

The ATP hydrolysis transition state of motor proteins is a weakly populated protein state that can be stabilized and investigated by replacing ATP with chemical mimics. We present atomic-level structural and dynamic insights on a state created by ADP aluminum fluoride binding to the bacterial DnaB helicase from Helicobacter pylori. We determined the positioning of the metal ion cofactor within the active site using electron paramagnetic resonance, and identified the protein protons coordinating to the phosphate groups of ADP and DNA using proton-detected 31P,1H solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at fast magic-angle spinning > 100 kHz, as well as temperature-dependent proton chemical-shift values to prove their engagements in hydrogen bonds. 19F and 27Al MAS NMR spectra reveal a highly mobile, fast-rotating aluminum fluoride unit pointing to the capture of a late ATP hydrolysis transition state in which the phosphoryl unit is already detached from the arginine and lysine fingers.

The E. coli helicase does not use ATP during replication.

The replisome is responsible for replication of DNA in all domains of life, with several of its individual enzyme components relying on hydrolysis of nucleoside triphosphates to provide energy for replisome function. Half a century of biochemical studies have demonstrated a dependence on ATP as an energy source for helicases to unwind duplex DNA during replication. Through single-molecule visualization of DNA replication by the Escherichia coli replisome, we demonstrate that the DnaB helicase does not rely on hydrolysis of ATP (or any ribo-NTPs) in the context of the elongating replisome. We establish that nucleotide incorporation by the leading-strand polymerase is the main motor driving the replication process.

The molecular coupling between substrate recognition and ATP turnover in a AAA+ hexameric helicase loader

In many bacteria and in eukaryotes, replication fork establishment requires the controlled loading of hexameric, ring-shaped helicases around DNA by AAA+ ATPases. How loading factors use ATP to control helicase deposition is poorly understood. Here, we dissect how specific ATPase elements of E. coli DnaC, an archetypal loader for the bacterial DnaB helicase, play distinct roles in helicase loading and the activation of DNA unwinding. We identify a new element, the arginine-coupler, which regulates the switch-like behavior of DnaC to prevent futile ATPase cycling and maintains loader responsiveness to replication restart systems. Our data help explain how the ATPase cycle of a AAA+-family helicase loader is channeled into productive action on its target; comparative studies indicate elements analogous to the Arg-coupler are present in related, switch-like AAA+ proteins that control replicative helicase loading in eukaryotes, as well as polymerase clamp loading and certain classes of DNA transposases.

Spectroscopic glimpses of the transition state of ATP hydrolysis trapped in a bacterial DnaB helicase

The ATP hydrolysis transition state of motor proteins is a weakly populated protein state that can be stabilized and investigated by replacing ATP with chemical mimics. We present atomic-level structural and dynamic insights on a state created by ADP aluminum fluoride binding to the bacterial DnaB helicase from Helicobacter pylori. We determined the positioning of the metal ion cofactor within the active site using electron paramagnetic resonance, and identified the protein protons coordinating to the phosphate groups of ADP and DNA using proton-detected 31P,1H solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at fast magic-angle spinning > 100 kHz, as well as temperature-dependent proton chemical-shift values to prove their engagements in hydrogen bonds. 19F and 27Al MAS NMR spectra reveal a highly mobile, fast-rotating aluminum fluoride unit pointing to the capture of a late ATP hydrolysis translation state in which the phosphoryl unit is already detached from the arginine and lysine fingers.

ATP Analogues for Structural Investigations: Case Studies of a DnaB Helicase and an ABC Transporter

Nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) are used as chemical energy source in a variety of cell systems. Structural snapshots along the NTP hydrolysis reaction coordinate are typically obtained by adding stable, nonhydrolyzable adenosine triphosphate (ATP) -analogues to the proteins, with the goal to arrest a state that mimics as closely as possible a physiologically relevant state, e.g., the pre-hydrolytic, transition and post-hydrolytic states. We here present the lessons learned on two distinct ATPases on the best use and unexpected pitfalls observed for different analogues. The proteins investigated are the bacterial DnaB helicase from Helicobacter pylori and the multidrug ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter BmrA from Bacillus subtilis, both belonging to the same division of P-loop fold NTPases. We review the magnetic-resonance strategies which can be of use to probe the binding of the ATP-mimics, and present carbon-13, phosphorus-31, and vanadium-51 solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the proteins or the bound molecules to unravel conformational and dynamic changes upon binding of the ATP-mimics. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and in particular W-band electron-electron double resonance (ELDOR)-detected NMR, is of complementary use to assess binding of vanadate. We discuss which analogues best mimic the different hydrolysis states for the DnaB helicase and the ABC transporter BmrA. These might be relevant also to structural and functional studies of other NTPases.

The molecular coupling between substrate recognition and ATP turnover in a AAA+ hexameric helicase loader

ABSTRACTIn many bacteria and in eukaryotes, replication fork establishment requires the controlled loading of hexameric, ring-shaped helicases around DNA by AAA+ ATPases. How loading factors use ATP to control helicase deposition is poorly understood. Here, we dissect how specific ATPase elements of E. coli DnaC, an archetypal loader for the bacterial DnaB helicase, play distinct roles in helicase loading and the activation of DNA unwinding. We identify a new element, the arginine-coupler, which regulates the switch-like behavior of DnaC to prevent futile ATPase cycling and maintains loader responsiveness to replication restart systems. Our data help explain how the ATPase cycle of a AAA+-family helicase loader is channeled into productive action on its target; comparative studies indicate elements analogous to the Arg-coupler are present in related, switch-like AAA+ proteins that control replicative helicase loading in eukaryotes, as well as polymerase clamp loading and certain classes of DNA transposases.

DnaB helicase is recruited to the replication initiation complex via binding of DnaA domain I to the lateral surface of the DnaB N-terminal domain

The DNA replication protein DnaA in Escherichia coli constructs higher-order complexes on the origin, oriC, to unwind this region. DnaB helicase is loaded onto unwound oriC via interactions with the DnaC loader and the DnaA complex. The DnaB–DnaC complex is recruited to the DnaA complex via stable binding of DnaB to DnaA domain I. The DnaB–DnaC complex is then directed to unwound oriC via a weak interaction between DnaB and DnaA domain III. Previously, we showed that Phe46 in DnaA domain I binds to DnaB. Here, we searched for the DnaA domain I–binding site in DnaB. The DnaB L160A variant was impaired in binding to DnaA complex on oriC but retained its DnaC-binding and helicase activities. DnaC binding moderately stimulated DnaA binding of DnaB L160A, and loading of DnaB L160A onto oriC was consistently and moderately inhibited. In a helicase assay with partly single-stranded DNA bearing a DnaA-binding site, DnaA stimulated DnaB loading, which was strongly inhibited in DnaB L160A even in the presence of DnaC. DnaB L160A was functionally impaired in vivo. On the basis of these findings, we propose that DnaB Leu160 interacts with DnaA domain I Phe46. DnaB Leu160 is exposed on the lateral surface of the N-terminal domain, which can explain unobstructed interactions of DnaA domain I–bound DnaB with DnaC, DnaG primase, and DnaA domain III. We propose a probable structure for the DnaA–DnaB–DnaC complex, which could be relevant to the process of DnaB loading onto oriC.