Structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RuvA, a protein involved in recombination

The process of recombinational repair is crucial for maintaining genomic integrity and generating biological diversity. In association with RuvB and RuvC, RuvA plays a central role in processing and resolving Holliday junctions, which are a critical intermediate in homologous recombination. Here, the cloning, purification and structure determination of the RuvA protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtRuvA) are reported. Analysis of the structure and comparison with other known RuvA proteins reveal an octameric state with conserved subunit-subunit interaction surfaces, indicating the requirement of octamer formation for biological activity. A detailed analysis of plasticity in the RuvA molecules has led to insights into the invariant and variable regions, thus providing a framework for understanding regional flexibility in various aspects of RuvA function.

Characterization of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins from Mycobacteria. The carboxyl-terminal of domain of SSB is essential for stable association with its cognate RecA protein

Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSB) play an important role in most aspects of DNA metabolism including DNA replication, repair, and recombination. We report here the identification and characterization of SSB proteins of Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sequence comparison of M. smegmatis SSB revealed that it is homologous to M. tuberculosis SSB, except for a small spacer connecting the larger amino-terminal domain with the extreme carboxyl-terminal tail. The purified SSB proteins of mycobacteria bound single-stranded DNA with high affinity, and the association and dissociation constants were similar to that of the prototype SSB. The proteolytic signatures of free and bound forms of SSB proteins disclosed that DNA binding was associated with structural changes at the carboxyl-terminal domain. Significantly, SSB proteins from mycobacteria displayed high affinity for cognate RecA, whereas Escherichia coli SSB did not under comparable experimental conditions. Accordingly, SSB and RecA were coimmunoprecipitated from cell lysates, further supporting an interaction between these proteins in vivo. The carboxyl-terminal domain of M. smegmatis SSB, which is not essential for interaction with ssDNA, is the site of binding of its cognate RecA. These studies provide the first evidence for stable association of eubacterial SSB proteins with their cognate RecA, suggesting that these two proteins might function together during DNA repair and/or recombination.

RecA Protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Possesses pH-Dependent Homologous DNA Pairing and Strand Exchange Activities: Implications for Allele Exchange in Mycobacteria

To gain insights into inefficient allele exchange in mycobacteria, we compared homologous pairing and strand exchange reactions promoted by RecA protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to those of Escherichia coli RecA protein. The extent of single-stranded binding protein (SSB)-stimulated formation of joint molecules by MtRecA was similar to that of EcRecA over a wide range of pH values. In contrast, strand exchange promoted by MtRecA was inhibited around neutral pH due to the formation of DNA networks. At higher pH, MtRecA was able to overcome this constraint and, consequently, displayed optimal strand exchange activity. Order of addition experiments suggested that SSB, when added after MtRecA, was vital for strand exchange. Significantly, with shorter duplex DNA, MtRecA promoted efficient strand exchange without network formation in a pH-independent fashion. Increase in the length of duplex DNA led to incomplete strand exchange with concomitant rise in the formation of intermediates and networks in a pH-dependent manner. Treatment of purified networks with S1 nuclease liberated linear duplex DNA and products, consistent with a model in which the networks are formed by the invasion of hybrid DNA by the displaced linear single-stranded DNA. Titration of strand exchange reactions with ATP or salt distinguished a condition under which the formation of networks was blocked, but strand exchange was not significantly affected. We discuss how these results relate to inefficient allele exchange in mycobacteria.

Use of structure-directed DNA ligands to probe the binding of recA protein to narrow and wide grooves of DNA and on its ability to promote homologous pairing

We have used circular dichroism and structure-directed drugs to identify the role of structural features, wide and narrow grooves in particular, required for the cooperative polymerization, recognition of homologous sequences, and the formation of joint molecules promoted by recA protein. The path of cooperative polymerization of recA protein was deduced by its ability to cause quantitative displacement of distamycin from the narrow groove of duplex DNA. By contrast, methyl green bound to the wide groove was retained by the nucleoprotein filaments comprised of recA protein-DNA. Further, the mode of binding of these ligands and recA protein to DNA was confirmed by DNaseI digestion. More importantly, the formation of joint molecules was prevented by distamycin in the narrow groove while methyl green in the wide groove had no adverse effect. Intriguingly, distamycin interfered with the production of coaggregates between nucleoprotein filaments of recA protein-M13 ssDNA and naked linear M13 duplex DNA, but not with linear phi X174 duplex DNA. Thus, these data, in conjunction with molecular modeling, suggest that the narrow grooves of duplex DNA provide the fundamental framework required for the cooperative polymerization of recA protein and alignment of homologous sequences. These findings and their significance are discussed in relation to models of homologous pairing between two intertwined DNA molecules.

Phage lambda beta protein, a component of general recombination, is associated with host ribosomal S1 protein

We have purified phage lambda beta protein produced by a recombinant plasmid carrying bet gene and confirm that it forms a complex with a protein of relative molecular mass 70 kDa. Therefore, beta protein, a component of general genetic recombination, is associated with two functionally diverse complexes; one containing exonuclease and the other 70 kDa protein. Using a number of independent methods, we show that 70 kDa protein is the ribosomal S1 protein of E. coli. Further, the association of 70 kDa protein with beta protein is biologically significant, as the former inhibits joining of the terminal ends of lambda chromosome and renaturation of complementary single stranded DNA promoted by the latter. More importantly, these findings initiate an understanding of an important mode of host- virus interaction in general with specific implication(s) in homologous genetic recombination.

Recognition and alignment of homologous DNA sequences between minichromosomes and single-stranded DNA promoted by RecA protein

The incorporation of DNA into nucleosomes and higher-order forms of chromatin in vivo creates difficulties with respect to its accessibility for cellular functions such as transcription, replication, repair and recombination. To understand the role of chromatin structure in the process of homologous recombination, we have studied the interaction of nucleoprotein filaments, comprised of RecA protein and ssDNA, with minichromosomes. Using this paradigm, we have addressed how chromatin structure affects the search for homologous DNA sequences, and attempted to distinguish between two mutually exclusive models of DNA-DNA pairing mechanisms. Paradoxically, we found that the search for homologous sequences, as monitored by unwinding of homologous or heterologous duplex DNA, was facilitated by nucleosomes, with no discernible effect on homologous pairing. More importantly, unwinding of minichromosomes required the interaction of nucleoprotein filaments and led to the accumulation of circular duplex DNA sensitive to nuclease P1. Competition experiments indicated that chromatin templates and naked DNA served as equally efficient targets for homologous pairing. These and other findings suggest that nucleosomes do not impede but rather facilitate the search for homologous sequences and establish, in accordance with one proposed model, that unwinding of duplex DNA precedes alignment of homologous sequences at the level of chromatin. The potential application of this model to investigate the role of chromosomal proteins in the alignment of homologous sequences in the context of cellular recombination is considered.

DNA-induced conformational changes in RecA protein. Evidence for structural heterogeneity among nucleoprotein filaments and implications for homologous pairing

We have used circular dichroism as a probe to characterize the solution conformational changes in RecA protein upon binding to DNA. This approach revealed that RecA protein acquires significant amounts of alpha-helix upon interaction with DNA. These observations, consistent with the data from crystal structure (Story, R. M., Weber, I., and Steitz, T. (1992) Nature 355, 318-325), support the notion that some basic domains including the DNA binding motifs of RecA protein are unstructured and might contribute to the formation of alpha-helix. A comparison of nucleoprotein filaments comprised of RecA protein and a variety of DNA substrates revealed important structural heterogeneity. The most significant difference was observed with poly(dG). poly(dC) and related polymers, rich in GC sequences, which induced minimal amounts of alpha-helix in RecA protein. The magnitude of induction of alpha-helix in RecA protein, which occurred concomitant with the production of ternary complexes, was 2-fold higher with homologous than heterologous duplex DNA. Most importantly, the stimulation of ATP hydrolysis by high salt coincided with that of the induction of alpha-helix in RecA protein. These conformational differences provide a basis for thinking about the biochemical and structural transitions that RecA protein experiences during the formal steps of presynapsis, recognition, and alignment of homologous sequences.

Isolation and visualization of active presynaptic filaments of recA protein and single-stranded DNA

In the presence of ATP, recA protein forms a presynaptic complex with single-stranded DNA that is an obligatory intermediate in homologous pairing. Presynaptic complexes of recA protein and circular single strands that are active in forming joint molecules can be isolated by gel filtration. These isolated active complexes are nucleoprotein filaments with the following characteristics: (i) a contour length that is at least 1.5 times that of the corresponding duplex DNA molecule, (ii) an ordered structure visualized by negative staining as a striated filament with a repeat distance of 9.0 nm and a width of 9.3 nm, (iii) approximately 8 molecules of recA protein and 20 nucleotide residues per striation. The widened spacing between bases in the nucleoprotein filament means that the initial matching of complementary sequences must involve intertwining of the filament and duplex DNA, unwinding of the latter, or some combination of both to equalize the spacing between nascent base pairs. These experiments support the concept that recA protein first forms a filament with single-stranded DNA, which in turn binds to duplex DNA to mediate both homologous pairing and subsequent strand exchange.

The homologous recombination system of phage lambda. Pairing activities of beta protein

The red genes of phage lambda specify two proteins, exonuclease and beta protein, which are essential for its general genetic recombination in recA- cells. These proteins seem to occur in vivo as an equimolar complex. In addition, beta protein forms a complex with another polypeptide, probably of phage origin, of Mr 70,000. The 70-kDa protein appears to be neither a precursor nor an aggregated form of either exonuclease or beta protein, since antibodies directed against the latter two proteins failed to react with 70-kDa protein on Ouchterlony double diffusion analysis. beta protein promotes Mg2+-dependent renaturation of complementary strands (Kmiec, E., and Holloman, W. K. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 12636-12639). To look for other pairing activities of beta protein, we developed methods of purification to free it of associated exonuclease. Exonuclease-free beta protein appeared unable to cause the pairing of a single strand with duplex DNA; however, like Escherichia coli single strand binding protein (SSB), beta protein stimulated formation of joint molecules by recA protein from linear duplex DNA and homologous circular single strands. Like recA protein, but unlike SSB, beta protein promoted the joining of the complementary single-stranded ends of phage lambda DNA. beta protein specifically protected single-stranded DNA from digestion by pancreatic DNase. The half-time for renaturation catalyzed by beta protein was independent of DNA concentration, unlike renaturation promoted by SSB and spontaneous renaturation, which are second order reactions. Thus, beta protein resembles recA protein in its ability to bring single-stranded DNA molecules together and resembles SSB in its ability to reduce secondary structure in single-stranded DNA.

Active nucleoprotein filaments of single-stranded binding protein and recA protein on single-stranded DNA have a regular repeating structure

When E. coli single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) coats single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2 it inhibits the subsequent binding of recA protein, whereas SSB binding to ssDNA in 12 mM MgCl2 promotes the binding of recA protein. These two conditions correspond respectively to those which produce 'smooth' and 'beaded' forms of ssDNA-SSB filaments. By gel filtration and immunoprecipitation we observed active nucleoprotein filaments of recA protein and SSB on ssDNA that contained on average 1 monomer of recA protein per 4 nucleotides and 1 monomer of SSB per 20-22 nucleotides. Filaments in such a mixture, when digested with micrococcal nuclease produced a regular repeating pattern, approximately every 70-80 nucleotides, that differed from the pattern observed when only recA protein was bound to the ssDNA. We conclude that the beaded ssDNA-SSB nucleoprotein filament readily binds recA protein and forms an intermediate that is active in the formation of joint molecules and can retain substantially all of the SSB that was originally bound.

Homologous pairing between nucleosome cores on a linear duplex DNA and nucleoprotein filaments of RecA protein-single stranded DNA

The ability of E coli recA protein to promote homologous pairing with linear duplex DNA bound to HU protein (Nucleosome cores) was found to be differentially affected. The formation of paranemic joint molecules was not affected whereas the formation of plectomic joint molecules was inhibited from the start of the reaction. The formation of paranemic joint molecules between nucleoprotein filaments of recA protein-circular single stranded DNA and closed circular duplex DNA is believed to generate positive supercoiling in the duplex DNA. We found that the positively superhelical duplex DNA was inert in the formation of joint molecules but could be converted into an active substrate, in situ, by the action of wheat germ topoisomerase I. These observations initiate an understanding of the structural features of E coli chromosome such as DNA supercoiling and nucleosome-like structures in homologous recombination.

Limiting the Extent of the RDN1 Heterochromatin Domain by a Silencing Barrier and Sir2 Protein Levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, transcriptional silencing occurs at the cryptic mating-type loci (HML and HMR), telomeres, and ribosomal DNA ( rDNA; RDN1). Silencing in the rDNA is unusual in that polymerase II (Pol II) promoters within RDN1 are repressed by Sir2 but not Sir3 or Sir4. rDNA silencing unidirectionally spreads leftward, but the mechanism of limiting its spreading is unclear. We searched for silencing barriers flanking the left end of RDN1 by using an established assay for detecting barriers to HMR silencing. Unexpectedly, the unique sequence immediately adjacent to RDN1, which overlaps a prominent cohesin binding site (CARL2), did not have appreciable barrier activity. Instead, a fragment located 2.4 kb to the left, containing a tRNA(Gln) gene and the Ty1 long terminal repeat, had robust barrier activity. The barrier activity was dependent on Pol III transcription of tRNA(Gln), the cohesin protein Smc1, and the SAS1 and Gcn5 histone acetyltransferases. The location of the barrier correlates with the detectable limit of rDNA silencing when SIR2 is overexpressed, where it blocks the spreading of rDNA heterochromatin. We propose a model in which normal Sir2 activity results in termination of silencing near the physical rDNA boundary, while tRNA(Gln) blocks silencing from spreading too far when nucleolar Sir2 pools become elevated.

RNA triphosphatase and guanylyl transferase activities are associated with the RNA polymerase protein L of rinderpest virus

Rinderpest virus (RPV) large (L) protein is an integral part of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex of the virus that is responsible for transcription and replication of the genome. Previously, we have shown that recombinant L protein coexpressed along with P protein (as the L-P complex) catalyses the synthesis of all viral mRNAs in vitro and the abundance of mRNAs follows a gradient of polarity, similar to the occurrence in vivo. In the present work, we demonstrate that the viral mRNAs synthesized in vitro by the recombinant L or purified RNP are capped and methylated at the N-7 guanine position. RNP from the purified virions, as well as recombinant L protein, shows RNA triphosphatase (RTPase) and guanylyl transferase (GT) activities. L protein present in the RNP complex catalyses the removal of gamma-phosphate from triphosphate-ended 25 nt RNA generated in vitro representing the viral N-terminal mRNA 5' sequence. The L protein forms a covalent enzyme-guanylate intermediate with the GMP moiety of GTP, whose formation is inhibited by the addition of pyrophosphate; thus, it exhibits characteristics of cellular GTs. The covalent bond between the enzyme and nucleotide is acid labile and alkali stable, indicating the presence of phosphoamide linkage. The C-terminal region (aa 1717-2183) of RPV L protein alone exhibits the first step of GT activity needed to form a covalent complex with GMP, though it lacks the ability to transfer GMP to substrate RNA. Here, we describe the biochemical characterization of the newly found RTPase/GT activity of L protein.

Structural Insights into the acyl-intermediates of plasmodium falciparum fatty acid synthesis pathway; the mechanism of expansion of acyl carrier protein core

Acyl carrier protein (ACP) plays a central role in fatty acid biosynthesis. However, the molecular machinery that mediates its function is not yet fully understood. Therefore, structural studies were carried out on the acyl-ACP intermediates of Plasmodium falciparum using NMR as a spectroscopic probe. Chemical shift perturbation studies put forth a new picture of the interaction of ACP molecule with the acyl chain, namely, the hydrophobic core can protect up to 12 carbon units, and additional carbons protrude out from the top of the hydrophobic cavity. The latter hypothesis stems from chemical shift changes observed in C-alpha and C-beta of Ser-37 in tetradecanoyl-ACP. C-13, N-15-Double-filtered nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) spectroscopy experiments further substantiate the concept; in octanoyl (C-8)- and dodecanoyl (C-12)-ACP, a long range NOE is observed within the phosphopantetheine arm, suggesting an arch-like conformation. This NOE is nearly invisible in tetradecanoyl (C-14)-ACP, indicating a change in conformation of the prosthetic group. Furthermore, the present study provides insights into the molecular mechanism of ACP expansion, as revealed from a unique side chain-to-backbone hydrogen bond between two fairly conserved residues, Ile-55 HN and Glu-48 O. The backbone amide of Ile-55 HN reports a pK(a) value for the carboxylate, similar to 1.9 pH units higher than model compound value, suggesting strong electrostatic repulsion between helix II and helix III. Charge-charge repulsion between the helices in combination with thrust from inside due to acyl chain would energetically favor the separation of the two helices. Helix III has fewer structural restraints and, hence, undergoes major conformational change without altering the overall-fold of P. falciparum ACP.

Virus-Specific Cytolytic Antibodies to Nonstructural Protein 1 of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Effect Reduction of Virus Output from Infected Cells

We demonstrate the presence of nonstructural protein 1 (NS1)-specific antibodies in a significant proportion of convalescent-phase human serum samples obtained from a cohort in an area where Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is endemic. Sera containing antibodies to NS1 but not those with antibodies to other JEV proteins, such as envelope, brought about complement-mediated lysis of JEV-infected BHK-21 cells. Target cells infected with a recombinant poxvirus expressing JEV NS1 on the cell surface confirmed the NS1 specificity of cytolytic antibodies. Mouse anti-NS1 cytolytic sera caused a complement-dependent reduction in virus output from infected human cells, demonstrating their important role in viral control. Antibodies elicited by JEV NS1 did not cross lyse West Nile virus- or dengue virus-infected cells despite immunoprecipitating the NS1 proteins of these related flaviviruses. Additionally, JEV NS1 failed to bind complement factor H, in contrast to NS1 of West Nile virus, suggesting that the NS1 proteins of different flaviviruses have distinctly different mechanisms for interacting with the host. Our results also point to an important role for JEV NS1-specific human immune responses in protection against JE and provide a strong case for inclusion of the NS1 protein in next generation of JEV vaccines.