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Transfer of the MSH2.MSH6 complex from proliferating cell nuclear antigen to mispaired bases in DNA

Patrick J Lau1, Richard D Kolodner

  • 1Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093-0660, USA.

Insights

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) may recognize DNA mismatches by interacting with MSH2.MSH6. ATP disrupts this interaction, facilitating MSH2.MSH6 transfer to mismatched DNA bases.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • DNA Repair Mechanisms
  • Protein-DNA Interactions

Background:

  • Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is implicated in DNA mismatch repair (MMR).
  • PCNA's interaction with MSH2.MSH3 and MSH2.MSH6 complexes suggests a role in mispair recognition.
  • PCNA enhances the specificity of MSH2.MSH6 binding to mismatched DNA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PCNA in DNA mismatch recognition by MSH2.MSH6.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of PCNA-MSH2.MSH6 interaction during DNA repair.

Main Methods:

  • Formation of ternary complexes involving PCNA, MSH2.MSH6, and DNA duplexes (homoduplex G/C and heteroduplex G/T).
  • Assessing the effect of ATP and its analog on these complex formations.
  • Investigating the disruption of MSH2.MSH6 binding to PCNA upon binding to heteroduplex DNA.

Main Results:

  • PCNA and MSH2.MSH6 form a stable ternary complex with homoduplex DNA.
  • MSH2.MSH6 binding to heteroduplex DNA disrupts its interaction with PCNA.
  • ATP or adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) addition restores PCNA-MSH2.MSH6 binding, likely by disrupting MSH2.MSH6 binding to heteroduplex DNA.

Conclusions:

  • These findings support a model where MSH2.MSH6 is transferred from PCNA to mismatched DNA bases.
  • PCNA acts as a platform for MSH2.MSH6 loading onto newly replicated DNA.
  • The dynamic interaction between PCNA and MSH2.MSH6 is crucial for efficient DNA mismatch recognition.

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