Structural basis for gate-DNA recognition and bending by type IIA topoisomerases

Type II topoisomerases disentangle DNA to facilitate chromosome segregation, and represent a major class of therapeutic targets. Although these enzymes have been studied extensively, a molecular understanding of DNA binding has been lacking. Here we present the structure of a complex between the DNA-binding and cleavage core of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Topo II (also known as Top2) and a gate-DNA segment. The structure reveals that the enzyme enforces a 150 degrees DNA bend through a mechanism similar to that of remodelling proteins such as integration host factor. Large protein conformational changes accompany DNA deformation, creating a bipartite catalytic site that positions the DNA backbone near a reactive tyrosine and a coordinated magnesium ion. This configuration closely resembles the catalytic site of type IA topoisomerases, reinforcing an evolutionary link between these structurally and functionally distinct enzymes. Binding of DNA facilitates opening of an enzyme dimerization interface, providing visual evidence for a key step in DNA transport.     

Use of an 125I-labelled DNA ligand to probe DNA structure

It no longer seems likely that DNA molecules in situ have a uniform conformation, represented by the classical B-form helix. For example, recent structural studies have shown that in certain conditions DNA can have a left-handed (so-called Z-form) helix, and have revealed extensive sequence-dependent variations of B-DNA helical parameters. Such sequence-dependent variations in DNA structure can be investigated in solution with reagents that bind to DNA in a conformation-dependent manner, and cut one or both strands of the double-helix at the site of binding, as, for example, has been shown for the endonuclease DNase I3. We describe here a simple way to endow a DNA-binding ligand with the ability to cleave DNA--labelling with 125I. The radiochemical damage associated with 125I decay induces a double-stranded DNA break. Using this technique we have shown that a sequence of four consecutive A X T base pairs is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for strong binding to DNA of the bis-benzamide Hoechst 33258--presumably the other important factor is the conformation of the double-helix at the site of the (A/T)4 sequence. We suggest 125I-Hoechst 33258 may be a useful new probe of DNA structure.     

Basis for recognition of cisplatin-modified DNA by high-mobility-group proteins.

The anticancer activity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) arises from its ability to damage DNA, with the major adducts formed being intrastrand d(GpG) and d(ApG) crosslinks. These crosslinks bend and unwind the duplex, and the altered structure attracts high-mobility-group domain (HMG) and other proteins. This binding of HMG-domain proteins to cisplatin-modified DNA has been postulated to mediate the antitumour properties of the drug. Many HMG-domain proteins recognize altered DNA structures such as four-way junctions and cisplatin-modified DNA, but until now the molecular basis for this recognition was unknown. Here we describe mutagenesis, hydroxyl-radical footprinting and X-ray studies that elucidate the structure of a 1:1 cisplatin-modified DNA/HMG-domain complex. Domain A of the structure-specific HMG-domain protein HMG1 binds to the widened minor groove of a 16-base-pair DNA duplex containing a site-specific cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)-N7(1),-N7(2)]] adduct. The DNA is strongly kinked at a hydrophobic notch created at the platinum-DNA crosslink and protein binding extends exclusively to the 3' side of the platinated strand. A phenylalanine residue at position 37 intercalates into a hydrophobic notch created at the platinum crosslinked d(GpG) site and binding of the domain is dramatically reduced in a mutant in which alanine is substituted for phenylalanine at this position.     

亮氨酸拉链结构蛋白在大肠杆菌重组子中的表达

酵母转录因子GCN4是通过亮氨酸拉链(bZIP)结构结合DNA的蛋白质之一，当GCN4二聚体与DNA结合时，亮氨酸拉链区的2个单体结合为平行的卷曲螺旋结构，而其基区由无规线团结构变为α螺旋．为探讨亮氨酸拉链蛋白与DNA的结合机理，设计了含有GCN4亮氨酸拉链蛋白基区结合DNA的必需氨基酸的折叠片段，并将其克隆到Escherichia coli BL21，讨论了此亮氨酸拉链蛋白的表达条件．在蛋白质的小量表达试验中，重组子Escherichia coli BL21于5mL含有50μg／mL氨节青霉素和34μg／mL氯霉素的LB液体培养基中培养至对数期，加入不同浓度的IPTG，继续培养以诱导蛋白质的表达，在不同的时间(如：诱导前，诱导2，4，6，8h)取样100μL到1．5mL离心管中、离心收集沉淀，将沉淀悬浮于样品缓冲液中，用10％SDS-PAGE检测；在10L含氨苄青霉素和氯霉素的LB液体培养基中进行了大量表达，根据小量表达的试验结果确定了IPTG的浓度和诱导时间．结果表明：含有这种拉链蛋白质的重组子Escherichia coli BL21在37℃下小量培养时，0．1-0．8mmol的IPTG均可在2-10h内诱导该蛋白质表达；而大量培养时，0．2mmol和0．4mmol的IPTG在37℃均不可能诱导表达，只在28℃时才表达；小量培养和大量培养的最佳诱导时间为4-6h，诱导剂IPTG的浓度为0．2mmol，大量表达的温度为28℃而不是37℃．     

Structures of ParB bound to DNA reveal mechanism of partition complex formation

The faithful inheritance of genetic information, which is essential for all organisms, requires accurate DNA partition (segregation) at cell division. In prokaryotes, partition is mediated by par systems, for which the P1 plasmid system of Escherichia coli is a prototype comprising a partition site and two proteins, ParA and ParB. To form the partition complex necessary for segregation, P1 ParB must recognize a complicated arrangement of A-box and B-box DNA motifs located on opposite ends of a sharply bent parS partition site of approximately 74 bp (refs 3-7). Here we describe structures of ParB bound to partition sites. ParB forms an asymmetric dimer with extended amino-terminal HTH (helix-turn-helix) domains that contact A-boxes. The two HTH domains emanate from a dimerized DNA-binding module composed of a six-stranded beta-sheet coiled-coil that binds B-boxes. Strikingly, these individual DNA-binding modules rotate freely about a flexible linker, enabling them to contact several arrangements of A- and B-boxes. Most notably, each DNA-binding element binds to and thus bridges adjacent DNA duplexes. These unique structural features of ParB explain how this protein can bind complex arrays of A- and B-box elements on adjacent DNA arms of the looped partition site.     

Role for a Drosophila Myb-containing protein complex in site-specific DNA replication

There is considerable interest in the developmental, temporal and tissue-specific patterns of DNA replication in metazoans. Site-specific DNA replication at the chorion loci in Drosophila follicle cells leads to extensive gene amplification, and the organization of the cis-acting DNA elements that regulate this process may provide a model for how such regulation is achieved. Two elements important for amplification of the third chromosome chorion gene cluster, ACE3 and Ori-beta, are directly bound by Orc (origin recognition complex), and two-dimensional gel analysis has revealed that the primary origin used is Ori-beta (refs 7-9). Here we show that the Drosophila homologue of the Myb (Myeloblastosis) oncoprotein family is tightly associated with four additional proteins, and that the complex binds site-specifically to these regulatory DNA elements. Drosophila Myb is required in trans for gene amplification, showing that a Myb protein is directly involved in DNA replication. A Drosophila Myb binding site, as well as the binding site for another Myb complex member (p120), is necessary in cis for replication of reporter transgenes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments localize both proteins to the chorion loci in vivo. These data provide evidence that specific protein complexes bound to replication enhancer elements work together with the general replication machinery for site-specific origin utilization during replication.     

TIAR通过在DNA和RNA之间的穿梭机制调控DNA的转录活性

应用体外转录模型,即通过构建T7 及T7 TIAR 的碱基序列及部分退火的双链模型,合成了一段ODN,其包含单链的TIAR结合位点和1个T7的起始位点.通过进行RNA转录分析,TIAR的结合和替代实验,证明了TIAR可与富含T的单链DNA结合,并且TIAR与DNA的结合可因DNA的转录活性而解离.这一发现为TIAR可在DNA与RNA之间穿梭提供了证据.