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Generation and Purification of Human INO80 Chromatin Remodeling Complexes and Subcomplexes
Published on: October 23, 2014
The yeast high mobility group protein HMO2, a subunit of the chromatin-remodeling complex INO80, binds DNA ends
1Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Abstract:
DNA damage is a common hazard that all cells have to combat. Saccharomyces cerevisiae HMO2 is a high mobility group protein (HMGB) that is a component of the chromatin-remodeling complex INO80, which is involved in double strand break (DSB) repair. We show here using DNA end-joining and exonuclease protection assays that HMO2 binds preferentially to DNA ends. While HMO2 binds DNA with both blunt and cohesive ends, the sequence of a single stranded overhang significantly affects binding, supporting the conclusion that HMO2 recognizes features at DNA ends. Analysis of the effect of duplex length on the ability of HMO2 to protect DNA from exonucleolytic cleavage suggests that more than one HMO2 must assemble at each DNA end. HMO2 binds supercoiled DNA with higher affinity than linear DNA and has a preference for DNA with lesions such as pairs of tandem mismatches; however, comparison of DNA constructs of increasing length suggests that HMO2 may not bind stably as a monomer to distorted DNA. The remarkable ability of HMO2 to protect DNA from exonucleolytic cleavage, combined with reports that HMO2 arrives early at DNA DSBs, suggests that HMO2 may play a role in DSB repair beyond INO80 recruitment.
Insights
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae high mobility group protein (HMGB) HMO2 preferentially binds DNA ends and protects them from degradation. This suggests HMO2 plays a crucial role in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair beyond its known function in the INO80 complex.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- DNA damage is a constant threat to cellular integrity.
- The chromatin-remodeling complex INO80 is involved in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair.
- High mobility group proteins (HMGBs) are key players in DNA dynamics and repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the DNA-binding properties of Saccharomyces cerevisiae HMO2.
- To determine HMO2's role in DNA end protection and DSB repair.
- To elucidate HMO2's function beyond its association with the INO80 complex.
Main Methods:
- DNA end-joining assays
- Exonuclease protection assays
- Binding affinity studies with varying DNA structures (blunt, cohesive, overhangs, supercoiled, linear, damaged DNA)
Main Results:
- HMO2 exhibits preferential binding to DNA ends, with sequence-dependent recognition of single-stranded overhangs.
- HMO2 protects DNA ends from exonucleolytic cleavage, requiring multiple protein molecules per end.
- HMO2 binds supercoiled DNA more strongly than linear DNA and shows affinity for DNA with lesions like tandem mismatches.
Conclusions:
- HMO2 possesses DNA end-binding and protective capabilities crucial for DNA repair.
- The findings suggest a significant role for HMO2 in DSB repair, potentially independent of or in addition to its INO80 complex function.
- HMO2's early recruitment to DSBs and protective functions highlight its importance in maintaining genomic stability.
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