Journal of Molecular Biology

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Tools and Principles for Microbial Gene Circuit Engineering

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: Available online 20 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology

Author(s): Robert W. Bradley, Martin Buck, Baojun Wang

Synthetic biologists aim to construct novel genetic circuits with useful applications through rational design and forward engineering. Given the complexity of signal processing that occurs in natural biological systems, engineered microbes have the potential to perform a wide range of desirable tasks that require sophisticated computation and control. Realising this goal will require accurate predictive design of complex synthetic gene circuits and accompanying large sets of quality modular and orthogonal genetic parts. Here we present a current overview of the versatile components and tools available for engineering gene circuits in microbes, including recently developed RNA-based tools that possess large dynamic ranges and can be easily programmed. We introduce design principles that enable robust and scalable circuit performance such as insulating a gene circuit against unwanted interactions with its context, and we describe efficient strategies for rapidly identifying and correcting causes of failure and fine-tuning circuit characteristics.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Editorial Board

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20









Categories: Journal Articles

Contents List

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20









Categories: Journal Articles

Influence of Internal DNA Pressure on Stability and Infectivity of Phage λ

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): D.W. Bauer, A. Evilevitch

Viruses must remain infectious while in harsh extracellular environments. An important aspect of viral particle stability for double-stranded DNA viruses is the energetically unfavorable state of the tightly confined DNA chain within the virus capsid creating pressures of tens of atmospheres. Here, we study the influence of internal genome pressure on the thermal stability of viral particles. Using differential scanning calorimetry to monitor genome loss upon heating, we find that internal pressure destabilizes the virion, resulting in a smaller activation energy barrier to trigger DNA release. These experiments are complemented by plaque assay and electron microscopy measurements to determine the influence of intra-capsid DNA pressure on the rates of viral infectivity loss. At higher temperatures (65–75°C), failure to retain the packaged genome is the dominant mechanism of viral inactivation. Conversely, at lower temperatures (40–55°C), a separate inactivation mechanism dominates, which results in non-infectious particles that still retain their packaged DNA. Most significantly, both mechanisms of infectivity loss are directly influenced by internal DNA pressure, with higher pressure resulting in a more rapid rate of inactivation at all temperatures.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Epigenetic Modulation of Human Podocyte Vitamin D Receptor in HIV Milieu

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Nirupama Chandel, Kameshwar S. Ayasolla, Xiqian Lan, Maria Sultana-Syed, Amrita Chawla, Rivka Lederman, Vasupradha Vethantham, Moin A. Saleem, Praveen N. Chander, Ashwani Malhotra, Pravin C. Singhal

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) has been reported to induce podocyte injury through down regulation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and activation of renin angiotensin system; however, the involved mechanism is not clear. Since HIV has been reported to modulate gene expression via epigenetic phenomena, we asked whether epigenetic factors contribute to down regulation of VDR. Kidney cells in HIV transgenic mice and HIV-infected podocytes (HIV/HPs) displayed enhanced expression of SNAIL, a repressor of VDR. To elucidate the mechanism, we studied the effect of HIV on expression of molecules involved in SNAIL repressor complex formation and demonstrated that HIV enhances expression of the histone deacetylase HDAC1 and DNA methyl transferases DNMT3b and DNMT1. 293T cells, when stably transfected with SNAIL (SNAIL/293T), displayed suppressed transcription and translation of VDR. In SNAIL/293T cells, co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed the association of HDAC1, DNMT3b, DNMT1, and mSin3A with SNAIL. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the presence of the SNAIL repressor complex at the VDR promoter. Consistent with the enhanced DNA methyl transferase expression in HIV/HPs, there was an increased CpG methylation at the VDR promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed occurrence of H3K4 trimethylation on SNAIL promoter. Neither a VDR agonist (VDA) nor an HDAC inhibitor (HDACI) nor a demethylating agent (DAC) individually could optimally up regulate VDR in HIV milieu. However, VDA and HDACI when combined were successful in de-repressing VDR expression. Our findings demonstrate that SNAIL recruits multiple chromatin enzymes to form a repressor complex in HIV milieu that down regulates VDR expression.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Structural Insights into Nonspecific Binding of DNA by TrmBL2, an Archaeal Chromatin Protein

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Misbha Ud Din Ahmad, Ingrid Waege, Winfried Hausner, Michael Thomm, Winfried Boos, Kay Diederichs, Wolfram Welte

The crystal structure of TrmBL2 from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus shows an association of two pseudosymmetric dimers. The dimers follow the prototypical design of known bacterial repressors with two helix–turn–helix (HTH) domains binding to successive major grooves of the DNA. However, in TrmBL2, the two dimers are arranged at a mutual displacement of approximately 2bp so that they associate with the DNA along the double-helical axis at an angle of approximately 80°. While the deoxyribose phosphate groups of the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) used for co-crystallization are clearly seen in the electron density map, most of the nucleobases are averaged out. Refinement required to assume a superposition of at least three mutually displaced dsDNAs. The HTH domains interact primarily with the deoxyribose phosphate groups and polar interactions with the nucleobases are almost absent. This hitherto unseen mode of DNA binding by TrmBL2 seems to arise from nonoptimal protein–DNA contacts made by its four HTH domains resulting in a low-affinity, nonspecific binding to DNA.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Mis16 Independently Recognizes Histone H4 and the CENP-ACnp1-Specific Chaperone Scm3sp

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Sojin An, Hanseong Kim, Uhn-Soo Cho

CENP-A is a centromere-specific histone H3 variant that is required for kinetochore assembly and accurate chromosome segregation. For it to function properly, CENP-A must be specifically localized to centromeres. In fission yeast, Scm3sp and the Mis18 complex, composed of Mis16, Eic1, and Mis18, function as a CENP-ACnp1-specific chaperone and a recruiting factor, respectively, and together ensure accurate delivery of CENP-ACnp1 to centromeres. Although how Scm3sp specifically recognizes CENP-ACnp1 has been revealed recently, the recruiting mechanism of CENP-ACnp1 via the Mis18 complex remains unknown. In this study, we have determined crystal structures of Schizosaccharomyces japonicus Mis16 alone and in complex with the helix 1 of histone H4 (H4α1). Crystal structures followed by mutant analysis and affinity pull-downs have revealed that Mis16 recognizes both H4α1 and Scm3sp independently within the CENP-ACnp1/H4:Scm3sp complex. This observation suggests that Mis16 gains CENP-ACnp1 specificity by recognizing both Scm3sp and histone H4. Our studies provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying specific recruitment of CENP-ACnp1/H4:Scm3sp into centromeres.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

The First Crystal Structure of the UP1 Domain of hnRNP A1 Bound to RNA Reveals a New Look for an Old RNA Binding Protein

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Christopher E. Morgan, Jennifer L. Meagher, Jeffrey D. Levengood, James Delproposto, Carrie Rollins, Jeanne A. Stuckey, Blanton S. Tolbert

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 protein is a multifunctional RNA binding protein implicated in a wide range of biological functions. Mechanisms and putative hnRNP A1–RNA interactions have been inferred primarily from the crystal structure of its UP1 domain bound to ssDNA. RNA stem loops represent an important class of known hnRNP A1 targets, yet little is known about the structural basis of hnRNP A1–RNA recognition. Here, we report the first high-resolution structure (1.92Å) of UP1 bound to a 5′-AGU-3′ trinucleotide that resembles sequence elements of several native hnRNP A1–RNA stem loop targets. UP1 interacts specifically with the AG dinucleotide sequence via a “nucleobase pocket” formed by the β-sheet surface of RRM1 and the inter-RRM linker; RRM2 does not contact the RNA. The inter-RRM linker forms the lid of the nucleobase pocket and we show using structure-guided mutagenesis that the conserved salt-bridge interactions (R75:D155 and R88:D157) on the α-helical side of the RNA binding surface stabilize the linker in a geometry poised to bind RNA. We further investigated the structural basis of UP1 binding HIViSL3ESS3 by determining a structural model of the complex scored by small-angle X-ray scattering. UP1 docks on the apical loop of SL3ESS3 using its RRM1 domain and inter-RRM linker only. The biophysical implications of the structural model were tested by measuring kinetic binding parameters, where mutations introduced within the apical loop reduce binding affinities by slowing down the rate of complex formation. Collectively, the data presented here provide the first insights into hnRNP A1–RNA interactions.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Snapshots of Conformational Changes Shed Light into the NtrX Receiver Domain Signal Transduction Mechanism

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Ignacio Fernández, Lisandro H. Otero, Sebastián Klinke, Mariela del Carmen Carrica, Fernando A. Goldbaum

Brucella abortus is an important pathogenic bacterium that has to overcome oxygen deficiency in order to achieve a successful infection. Previously, we proved that a two-component system formed by the histidine kinase NtrY and the response regulator NtrX is essential to achieve an adaptive response to low oxygen tension conditions. Even though the relevance of this signaling pathway has already been demonstrated in other microorganisms, its molecular activation mechanism has not yet been described in detail. In this article, we report the first crystal structures from different conformations of the NtrX receiver domain from B. abortus, and we propose a sequence of events to explain the structural rearrangements along the activation process. The analysis of the structures obtained in the presence of the phosphoryl group analog beryllofluoride led us to postulate that changes in the interface formed by the α4 helix and the β5 strand are important for the activation, producing a reorientation of the α5 helix. Also, a biochemical characterization of the NtrX receiver domain enzymatic activities was performed, describing its autophosphorylation and autodephosphorylation kinetics. Finally, the role of H85, an important residue, was addressed by site-directed mutagenesis. Overall, these results provide significant structural basis for understanding the response regulator activation in this bacterial two-component system.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Septin 9 Exhibits Polymorphic Binding to F-Actin and Inhibits Myosin and Cofilin Activity

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:28
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Clayton Smith, Lee Dolat, Dimitrios Angelis, Eva Forgacs, Elias T. Spiliotis, Vitold E. Galkin

Septins are a highly conserved family of proteins in eukaryotes that is recognized as a novel component of the cytoskeleton. Septin 9 (SEPT9) interacts directly with actin filaments and functions as an actin stress fiber cross-linking protein that promotes the maturation of nascent focal adhesions and cell migration. However, the molecular details of how SEPT9 interacts with F-actin remain unknown. Here, we use electron microscopy and image analysis to show that SEPT9 binds to F-actin in a highly polymorphic fashion. We demonstrate that the basic domain (B-domain) of the N-terminal tail of SEPT9 is responsible for actin cross-linking, while the GTP-binding domain (G-domain) does not bundle F-actin. We show that the B-domain of SEPT9 binds to three sites on F-actin, and the two of these sites overlap with the binding regions of myosin and cofilin. SEPT9 inhibits actin-dependent ATPase activity of myosin and competes with the weakly bound state of myosin for binding to F-actin. At the same time, SEPT9 significantly reduces the extent of F-actin depolymerization by cofilin. Taken together, these data suggest that SEPT9 protects actin filaments from depolymerization by cofilin and myosin and indicate a mechanism by which SEPT9 could maintain the integrity of growing and contracting actin filaments.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Editorial Board

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20









Categories: Journal Articles

Contents List

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20









Categories: Journal Articles

Influence of Internal DNA Pressure on Stability and Infectivity of Phage λ

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): D.W. Bauer, A. Evilevitch

Viruses must remain infectious while in harsh extracellular environments. An important aspect of viral particle stability for double-stranded DNA viruses is the energetically unfavorable state of the tightly confined DNA chain within the virus capsid creating pressures of tens of atmospheres. Here, we study the influence of internal genome pressure on the thermal stability of viral particles. Using differential scanning calorimetry to monitor genome loss upon heating, we find that internal pressure destabilizes the virion, resulting in a smaller activation energy barrier to trigger DNA release. These experiments are complemented by plaque assay and electron microscopy measurements to determine the influence of intra-capsid DNA pressure on the rates of viral infectivity loss. At higher temperatures (65–75°C), failure to retain the packaged genome is the dominant mechanism of viral inactivation. Conversely, at lower temperatures (40–55°C), a separate inactivation mechanism dominates, which results in non-infectious particles that still retain their packaged DNA. Most significantly, both mechanisms of infectivity loss are directly influenced by internal DNA pressure, with higher pressure resulting in a more rapid rate of inactivation at all temperatures.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Epigenetic Modulation of Human Podocyte Vitamin D Receptor in HIV Milieu

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Nirupama Chandel, Kameshwar S. Ayasolla, Xiqian Lan, Maria Sultana-Syed, Amrita Chawla, Rivka Lederman, Vasupradha Vethantham, Moin A. Saleem, Praveen N. Chander, Ashwani Malhotra, Pravin C. Singhal

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) has been reported to induce podocyte injury through down regulation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and activation of renin angiotensin system; however, the involved mechanism is not clear. Since HIV has been reported to modulate gene expression via epigenetic phenomena, we asked whether epigenetic factors contribute to down regulation of VDR. Kidney cells in HIV transgenic mice and HIV-infected podocytes (HIV/HPs) displayed enhanced expression of SNAIL, a repressor of VDR. To elucidate the mechanism, we studied the effect of HIV on expression of molecules involved in SNAIL repressor complex formation and demonstrated that HIV enhances expression of the histone deacetylase HDAC1 and DNA methyl transferases DNMT3b and DNMT1. 293T cells, when stably transfected with SNAIL (SNAIL/293T), displayed suppressed transcription and translation of VDR. In SNAIL/293T cells, co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed the association of HDAC1, DNMT3b, DNMT1, and mSin3A with SNAIL. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the presence of the SNAIL repressor complex at the VDR promoter. Consistent with the enhanced DNA methyl transferase expression in HIV/HPs, there was an increased CpG methylation at the VDR promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed occurrence of H3K4 trimethylation on SNAIL promoter. Neither a VDR agonist (VDA) nor an HDAC inhibitor (HDACI) nor a demethylating agent (DAC) individually could optimally up regulate VDR in HIV milieu. However, VDA and HDACI when combined were successful in de-repressing VDR expression. Our findings demonstrate that SNAIL recruits multiple chromatin enzymes to form a repressor complex in HIV milieu that down regulates VDR expression.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Structural Insights into Nonspecific Binding of DNA by TrmBL2, an Archaeal Chromatin Protein

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Misbha Ud Din Ahmad, Ingrid Waege, Winfried Hausner, Michael Thomm, Winfried Boos, Kay Diederichs, Wolfram Welte

The crystal structure of TrmBL2 from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus shows an association of two pseudosymmetric dimers. The dimers follow the prototypical design of known bacterial repressors with two helix–turn–helix (HTH) domains binding to successive major grooves of the DNA. However, in TrmBL2, the two dimers are arranged at a mutual displacement of approximately 2bp so that they associate with the DNA along the double-helical axis at an angle of approximately 80°. While the deoxyribose phosphate groups of the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) used for co-crystallization are clearly seen in the electron density map, most of the nucleobases are averaged out. Refinement required to assume a superposition of at least three mutually displaced dsDNAs. The HTH domains interact primarily with the deoxyribose phosphate groups and polar interactions with the nucleobases are almost absent. This hitherto unseen mode of DNA binding by TrmBL2 seems to arise from nonoptimal protein–DNA contacts made by its four HTH domains resulting in a low-affinity, nonspecific binding to DNA.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Mis16 Independently Recognizes Histone H4 and the CENP-ACnp1-Specific Chaperone Scm3sp

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Sojin An, Hanseong Kim, Uhn-Soo Cho

CENP-A is a centromere-specific histone H3 variant that is required for kinetochore assembly and accurate chromosome segregation. For it to function properly, CENP-A must be specifically localized to centromeres. In fission yeast, Scm3sp and the Mis18 complex, composed of Mis16, Eic1, and Mis18, function as a CENP-ACnp1-specific chaperone and a recruiting factor, respectively, and together ensure accurate delivery of CENP-ACnp1 to centromeres. Although how Scm3sp specifically recognizes CENP-ACnp1 has been revealed recently, the recruiting mechanism of CENP-ACnp1 via the Mis18 complex remains unknown. In this study, we have determined crystal structures of Schizosaccharomyces japonicus Mis16 alone and in complex with the helix 1 of histone H4 (H4α1). Crystal structures followed by mutant analysis and affinity pull-downs have revealed that Mis16 recognizes both H4α1 and Scm3sp independently within the CENP-ACnp1/H4:Scm3sp complex. This observation suggests that Mis16 gains CENP-ACnp1 specificity by recognizing both Scm3sp and histone H4. Our studies provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying specific recruitment of CENP-ACnp1/H4:Scm3sp into centromeres.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

The First Crystal Structure of the UP1 Domain of hnRNP A1 Bound to RNA Reveals a New Look for an Old RNA Binding Protein

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Christopher E. Morgan, Jennifer L. Meagher, Jeffrey D. Levengood, James Delproposto, Carrie Rollins, Jeanne A. Stuckey, Blanton S. Tolbert

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 protein is a multifunctional RNA binding protein implicated in a wide range of biological functions. Mechanisms and putative hnRNP A1–RNA interactions have been inferred primarily from the crystal structure of its UP1 domain bound to ssDNA. RNA stem loops represent an important class of known hnRNP A1 targets, yet little is known about the structural basis of hnRNP A1–RNA recognition. Here, we report the first high-resolution structure (1.92Å) of UP1 bound to a 5′-AGU-3′ trinucleotide that resembles sequence elements of several native hnRNP A1–RNA stem loop targets. UP1 interacts specifically with the AG dinucleotide sequence via a “nucleobase pocket” formed by the β-sheet surface of RRM1 and the inter-RRM linker; RRM2 does not contact the RNA. The inter-RRM linker forms the lid of the nucleobase pocket and we show using structure-guided mutagenesis that the conserved salt-bridge interactions (R75:D155 and R88:D157) on the α-helical side of the RNA binding surface stabilize the linker in a geometry poised to bind RNA. We further investigated the structural basis of UP1 binding HIViSL3ESS3 by determining a structural model of the complex scored by small-angle X-ray scattering. UP1 docks on the apical loop of SL3ESS3 using its RRM1 domain and inter-RRM linker only. The biophysical implications of the structural model were tested by measuring kinetic binding parameters, where mutations introduced within the apical loop reduce binding affinities by slowing down the rate of complex formation. Collectively, the data presented here provide the first insights into hnRNP A1–RNA interactions.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Snapshots of Conformational Changes Shed Light into the NtrX Receiver Domain Signal Transduction Mechanism

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Ignacio Fernández, Lisandro H. Otero, Sebastián Klinke, Mariela del Carmen Carrica, Fernando A. Goldbaum

Brucella abortus is an important pathogenic bacterium that has to overcome oxygen deficiency in order to achieve a successful infection. Previously, we proved that a two-component system formed by the histidine kinase NtrY and the response regulator NtrX is essential to achieve an adaptive response to low oxygen tension conditions. Even though the relevance of this signaling pathway has already been demonstrated in other microorganisms, its molecular activation mechanism has not yet been described in detail. In this article, we report the first crystal structures from different conformations of the NtrX receiver domain from B. abortus, and we propose a sequence of events to explain the structural rearrangements along the activation process. The analysis of the structures obtained in the presence of the phosphoryl group analog beryllofluoride led us to postulate that changes in the interface formed by the α4 helix and the β5 strand are important for the activation, producing a reorientation of the α5 helix. Also, a biochemical characterization of the NtrX receiver domain enzymatic activities was performed, describing its autophosphorylation and autodephosphorylation kinetics. Finally, the role of H85, an important residue, was addressed by site-directed mutagenesis. Overall, these results provide significant structural basis for understanding the response regulator activation in this bacterial two-component system.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Septin 9 Exhibits Polymorphic Binding to F-Actin and Inhibits Myosin and Cofilin Activity

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Clayton Smith, Lee Dolat, Dimitrios Angelis, Eva Forgacs, Elias T. Spiliotis, Vitold E. Galkin

Septins are a highly conserved family of proteins in eukaryotes that is recognized as a novel component of the cytoskeleton. Septin 9 (SEPT9) interacts directly with actin filaments and functions as an actin stress fiber cross-linking protein that promotes the maturation of nascent focal adhesions and cell migration. However, the molecular details of how SEPT9 interacts with F-actin remain unknown. Here, we use electron microscopy and image analysis to show that SEPT9 binds to F-actin in a highly polymorphic fashion. We demonstrate that the basic domain (B-domain) of the N-terminal tail of SEPT9 is responsible for actin cross-linking, while the GTP-binding domain (G-domain) does not bundle F-actin. We show that the B-domain of SEPT9 binds to three sites on F-actin, and the two of these sites overlap with the binding regions of myosin and cofilin. SEPT9 inhibits actin-dependent ATPase activity of myosin and competes with the weakly bound state of myosin for binding to F-actin. At the same time, SEPT9 significantly reduces the extent of F-actin depolymerization by cofilin. Taken together, these data suggest that SEPT9 protects actin filaments from depolymerization by cofilin and myosin and indicate a mechanism by which SEPT9 could maintain the integrity of growing and contracting actin filaments.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles

Architecture of the Complex Formed by Large and Small Terminase Subunits from Bacteriophage P22

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 00:34
Publication date: 9 October 2015
Source:Journal of Molecular Biology, Volume 427, Issue 20

Author(s): Reginald McNulty, Ravi Kumar Lokareddy, Ankoor Roy, Yang Yang, Gabriel C. Lander, Albert J.R. Heck, John E. Johnson, Gino Cingolani

Packaging of viral genomes inside empty procapsids is driven by a powerful ATP-hydrolyzing motor, formed in many double-stranded DNA viruses by a complex of a small terminase (S-terminase) subunit and a large terminase (L-terminase) subunit, transiently docked at the portal vertex during genome packaging. Despite recent progress in elucidating the structure of individual terminase subunits and their domains, little is known about the architecture of an assembled terminase complex. Here, we describe a bacterial co-expression system that yields milligram quantities of the S-terminase:L-terminase complex of the Salmonella phage P22. In vivo assembled terminase complex was affinity-purified and stabilized by addition of non-hydrolyzable ATP, which binds specifically to the ATPase domain of L-terminase. Mapping studies revealed that the N-terminus of L-terminase ATPase domain (residues 1–58) contains a minimal S-terminase binding domain sufficient for stoichiometric association with residues 140–162 of S-terminase, the L-terminase binding domain. Hydrodynamic analysis by analytical ultracentrifugation sedimentation velocity and native mass spectrometry revealed that the purified terminase complex consists predominantly of one copy of the nonameric S-terminase bound to two equivalents of L-terminase (1S-terminase:2L-terminase). Direct visualization of this molecular assembly in negative-stained micrographs yielded a three-dimensional asymmetric reconstruction that resembles a “nutcracker” with two L-terminase protomers projecting from the C-termini of an S-terminase ring. This is the first direct visualization of a purified viral terminase complex analyzed in the absence of DNA and procapsid.
Graphical abstract




Categories: Journal Articles