Requirement for the replication protein SSB in human DNA excision repair

Replication and repair are essential processes that maintain the continuity of the genetic material. Dissection of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA replication has resulted in the identification of many eukaryotic replication proteins, but the biochemistry of the multienzyme process of DNA excision repair is less well defined. One protein that is absolutely required for semiconservative replication of SV40 DNA in vitro is human single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB, also called RF-A and RP-A). SSB consists of three polypeptides of relative molecular mass 70,000, 34,000 and 13,000, and acts with T antigen and topoisomerases to unwind DNA, allowing the access of other replication proteins. Human SSB can also stimulate the activity of polymerases alpha and delta, suggesting a further role in elongation during DNA replication. We have now found a role for human SSB in DNA excision repair using a cell-free system that can carry out nucleotide excision repair in vitro. Monoclonal antibodies against human SSB caused extensive inhibition of DNA repair in plasmid molecules damaged by ultraviolet light or acetylaminofluorene. Addition of purified SSB reversed this inhibition and further stimulated repair synthesis by increasing the number of repair events. These results show that a mammalian DNA replication protein is also essential for repair.     

Recognition of DNA damage by the Rad4 nucleotide excision repair protein

Mutations in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway can cause the xeroderma pigmentosum skin cancer predisposition syndrome. NER lesions are limited to one DNA strand, but otherwise they are chemically and structurally diverse, being caused by a wide variety of genotoxic chemicals and ultraviolet radiation. The xeroderma pigmentosum C (XPC) protein has a central role in initiating global-genome NER by recognizing the lesion and recruiting downstream factors. Here we present the crystal structure of the yeast XPC orthologue Rad4 bound to DNA containing a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) lesion. The structure shows that Rad4 inserts a beta-hairpin through the DNA duplex, causing the two damaged base pairs to flip out of the double helix. The expelled nucleotides of the undamaged strand are recognized by Rad4, whereas the two CPD-linked nucleotides become disordered. These findings indicate that the lesions recognized by Rad4/XPC thermodynamically destabilize the Watson-Crick double helix in a manner that facilitates the flipping-out of two base pairs.     

Renaturation of DNA catalysed by yeast DNA repair and recombination protein RAD10.

The RAD10 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required for the incision step of excision repair of ultraviolet-damaged DNA, and it functions in mitotic recombination. RAD10 has homology to the human excision repair gene ERCC-1. Here we describe the purification of the protein encoded by RAD10 and show that it is a DNA-binding protein with a strong preference for single-stranded DNA. We also show that RAD10 promotes the renaturation of complementary DNA strands.     

The crystal structure of DNA mismatch repair protein MutS binding to a G x T mismatch

DNA mismatch repair ensures genomic integrity on DNA replication. Recognition of a DNA mismatch by a dimeric MutS protein initiates a cascade of reactions and results in repair of the newly synthesized strand; however, details of the molecular mechanism remain controversial. Here we present the crystal structure at 2.2 A of MutS from Escherichia coli bound to a G x T mismatch. The two MutS monomers have different conformations and form a heterodimer at the structural level. Only one monomer recognizes the mismatch specifically and has ADP bound. Mismatch recognition occurs by extensive minor groove interactions causing unusual base pairing and kinking of the DNA. Nonspecific major groove DNA-binding domains from both monomers embrace the DNA in a clamp-like structure. The interleaved nucleotide-binding sites are located far from the DNA. Mutations in human MutS alpha (MSH2/MSH6) that lead to hereditary predisposition for cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, can be mapped to this crystal structure.     

DNA repair protein Ku80 suppresses chromosomal aberrations and malignant transformation

Cancer susceptibility genes have been classified into two groups: gatekeepers and caretakers. Gatekeepers are genes that control cell proliferation and death, whereas caretakers are DNA repair genes whose inactivation leads to genetic instability. Abrogation of both caretaker and gatekeeper function markedly increases cancer susceptibility. Although the importance of Ku80 in DNA double-strand break repair is well established, neither Ku80 nor other components of the non-homologous end-joining pathway are known to have a caretaker role in maintaining genomic stability. Here we show that mouse cells deficient for Ku80 display a marked increase in chromosomal aberrations, including breakage, translocations and aneuploidy. Despite the observed chromosome instabilities, Ku80-/- mice have only a slightly earlier onset of cancer. Loss of p53 synergizes with Ku80 to promote tumorigenesis such that all Ku80-/- p53-/- mice succumb to disseminated pro-B-cell lymphoma before three months of age. Tumours result from a specific set of chromosomal translocations and gene amplifications involving IgH and c-Myc, reminiscent of Burkitt's lymphoma. We conclude that Ku80 is a caretaker gene that maintains the integrity of the genome by a mechanism involving the suppression of chromosomal rearrangements.     

The conserved kinetochore protein shugoshin protects centromeric cohesion during meiosis

Meiosis comprises a pair of specialized nuclear divisions that produce haploid germ cells. To accomplish this, sister chromatids must segregate together during the first meiotic division (meiosis I), which requires that sister chromatid cohesion persists at centromeres. The factors that protect centromeric cohesion during meiosis I have remained elusive. Here we identify Sgo1 (shugoshin), a protector of the centromeric cohesin Rec8 in fission yeast. We also identify a homologue of Sgo1 in budding yeast. We provide evidence that shugoshin is widely conserved among eukaryotes. Moreover, we identify Sgo2, a paralogue of shugoshin in fission yeast, which is required for faithful mitotic chromosome segregation. Localization of Sgo1 and Sgo2 at centromeres requires the kinase Bub1, identifying shugoshin as a crucial target for the kinetochore function of Bub1. These findings provide insights into the evolution of meiosis and kinetochore regulation during mitosis and meiosis.     

Domainal evolution of a prokaryotic DNA repair protein and its relationship to active-transport proteins

The ABC excision nuclease of Escherichia coli is an ATP-dependent DNA repair enzyme composed of three protein subunits, UvrA, UvrB and UvrC. The DNA sequences of all three genes have been reported. UvrA, the component that binds directly to the DNA, and UvrB, which attaches itself to the UvrA-DNA complex, both contain consensus sequences though to be diagnostic of ATP-binding sites, although the UvrC sequence does not. We now report that a computer analysis of the UvrA sequence has revealed an unusual series of internal duplications centering around putative metal-binding sites which may be involved in the interaction with DNA. We also find a strong evolutionary relationship to a family of prokaryotic membrane-associated active-transport proteins.     

A mammalian protein with specific demethylase activity for mCpG DNA

DNA-methylation patterns are important for regulating genome functions, and are determined by the enzymatic processes of methylation and demethylation. The demethylating enzyme has now been identified: a mammalian complementary DNA encodes a methyl-CpG-binding domain, bears a demethylase activity that transforms methylated cytosine bases to cytosine, and demethylates a plasmid when the cDNA is translated or transiently transfected into human embryonal kidney cells in vitro. The discovery of this DNA demethylase should provide a basis for the molecular and developmental analysis of the role of DNA methylation and demethylation.     

一株碱性果胶酶高产菌株的筛选与鉴定

对天津盐碱地土壤样品中分离筛选的碱性果胶酶高产菌株进行生理生化及分子生物学鉴定,确定其生物学分类地位.以果胶为底物从土壤中筛选碱性果胶酶生产菌株,对复筛获得的菌株L520进行16SrDNA基因测序和分析,结合Biolog微生物鉴定系统完成L520的菌种鉴定;常规的生理生化反应鉴定进一步阐明该菌株的生理生化特性.菌株L520在LB培养基上培养10 h左右产中生芽孢,能利用葡萄糖、甘露醇、木糖为碳源进行生长,降解淀粉,水解酪蛋白但不水解酪氨酸;16SrDNA(NCBI登陆号FJ906822)结果显示该菌株与枯草芽孢杆菌、地衣芽孢杆菌等有99%的相似性,Biolog鉴定系统中菌株L520培养16～24 h与Bacillus subtis A相关数据为PROB 99%,SIM 0.853,DIST 2.06.该碱性果胶酶高产菌株分类学上属于芽孢杆菌属的枯草芽孢杆菌,命名为Bacillus subtilis L520,碱性果胶酶发酵活性达到45 U/mL.     

Crystal structures of mismatch repair protein MutS and its complex with a substrate DNA

DNA mismatch repair is critical for increasing replication fidelity in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. MutS protein, a member of the ABC ATPase superfamily, recognizes mispaired and unpaired bases in duplex DNA and initiates mismatch repair. Mutations in human MutS genes cause a predisposition to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer as well as sporadic tumours. Here we report the crystal structures of a MutS protein and a complex of MutS with a heteroduplex DNA containing an unpaired base. The structures reveal the general architecture of members of the MutS family, an induced-fit mechanism of recognition between four domains of a MutS dimer and a heteroduplex kinked at the mismatch, a composite ATPase active site composed of residues from both MutS subunits, and a transmitter region connecting the mismatch-binding and ATPase domains. The crystal structures also provide a molecular framework for understanding hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer mutations and for postulating testable roles of MutS.     

海洋来源褐藻胶裂解酶分离纯化及酶学性质研究

以假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas sp.zb7-4)发酵制备褐藻胶裂解酶粗酶液,采用弱阴离子DEAE交换层析分离褐藻胶裂解酶,分析纯化褐藻胶裂解酶Alg L的酶学特性.结果表明:Alg L的表观分子质量约为32 ku,比活力为(208.26±5.87)U·mg-1;其最适反应pH为7.0,在pH为6.0~10.0范围内稳定性较好,保温1 h仍能保持80%以上的相对酶活力;最适反应温度50℃,在40℃保温30 min,其残余酶活力高于80%;Cu2+、Cr3+、Co2+、Ba2+、Sr2+、Hg2+对该酶具有不同程度的抑制作用,Hg2+抑制作用最为明显;该酶具有较好的盐耐受性,在3 mol·L-1Na Cl反应体系中保温2 h,仍残余66%酶活力.动力学参数Km、Vmax、Kcat测定表明,该酶对聚古罗糖醛酸钠(PG)亲和力较高,为偏好聚甘露糖醛酸钠(PM)裂解作用的双功能酶.     

RadA： A protein involved in DNA damage repair processes of Deinococcus radiodurans R1

RadA is highly conserved in bacteria and belongs to the RecA/RadA/Rad51 protein su-perfamily found in bacteria,archaea and eukarya. In Archaea,it plays a critical role in homologous re-combination process due to its RecA-like function. In Escherichia coli,it takes part in conjugational recom-bination and DNA repair but is not as important as that of archaea. Using PSI-BLAST searches,we found that Deinococcus radiodurans RadA had a higher similarity to that of bacteria than archaea and eukarya. Disruption of radA gene in D. radiodurans resulted in a modestly decreased resistance to gamma radiation and ultraviolet,but had no effect on the resistance to hydrogen peroxide. Complementa-tion of the radA disruptant by both E. coli radA and D. radiodurans radA could fully restore its resistance to gamma radiation and ultraviolet irradiation. Further domain function analyses of D. radiodurans RadA showed that the absence of the zinc finger domain resulted in a slightly more sensitive phenotype to gamma and UV radiation than that of the radA mutant,while the absence of the Lon protease domain exhib-ited a slightly increased resistance to gamma and UV radiation. These data suggest that D. radiodurans RadA does play an important role in the DNA damage repair processes and its three different domains have different functions.     

C-terminal domain of Chk1 regulates its subcellular location and kinase activity for DNA repair

Effector kinase Chk1 is an evolutionarily conserved protein kinase. It is a key mediator linking the mechanisms that monitor DNA integrity to components of the cell cycle engine. In this study, recombinant vectors pEGFP-C1-Chk1/C 288/C 334/C 368 were constructed and transfected into HeLa cells to study the effect of the Chk1 regulatory domain on the regulation of subcellular Chk1 location in response to DNA damage. We found that DNA damage-induced nuclear accumulation is regulated by 34 amino acids (334–368) in the C-terminal regulatory domain. Recombinant vectors pXJ41-Chk1/C 288/C 334/C 368 were co-transfected with reporter plasmid pEGFP-N2 into HeLa cells to study the repair abilities of the different human Chk1 truncation mutants. In addition, recombinant vectors were transfected into HeLa cells to study the effects of the different truncation mutants on the cell cycle. Furthermore, to study the kinase activity of the different truncation mutants, Ser216 phosphorylation of Cdc25C was studied by Western blot analysis. We found that the enzymatic activity of C 368, missing the 108 C-terminal amino acids (368–476), was higher than that of full-length Chk1, and C 368 delayed the cell cycle progression. The enzymatic activity of C 334, missing the 142 C-terminal amino acids (334–476), was equivalent to that of full-length Chk1. C 288, missing the 188 C-terminal amino acids (288–476), had almost no enzymatic activity, suggesting that the regulatory domain contains both inhibitory and regulatory elements. This study provides useful information for further research on Chk1 function.     

Base-excision repair of oxidative DNA damage

Maintaining the chemical integrity of DNA in the face of assault by oxidizing agents is a constant challenge for living organisms. Base-excision repair has an important role in preventing mutations associated with a common product of oxidative damage to DNA, 8-oxoguanine. Recent structural studies have shown that 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylases use an intricate series of steps to locate and excise 8-oxoguanine lesions efficiently against a high background of undamaged bases. The importance of preventing mutations associated with 8-oxoguanine is shown by a direct association between defects in the DNA glycosylase MUTYH and colorectal cancer. The properties of other guanine oxidation products and the associated DNA glycosylases that remove them are now also being revealed.