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DNA Helicases

DNA Helicases

DNA unwinding helicase enzymes are a type of motor protein. Motor proteins can translocate along filaments or polymers using energy generated from ATP hydrolysis. Helicases are involved in all the important cellular processes where DNA unwinding is required, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. They are present in all living organisms, but vary in their structure, function, and mechanism of action. For example, in prokaryotes, DnaB helicase binds and translocates...

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

For successful DNA replication, the unwinding of double-stranded DNA must be accompanied by stabilization and protection of the separated single strands of the DNA. This crucial task is performed by single-strand DNA-binding (SSB) proteins. They bind to the DNA in a sequence-independent manner, which means that the nitrogenous bases of the DNA need not be present in a specific order for binding of SSB proteins to it. The binding of SSB proteins straightens single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and makes...

DNA Topoisomerases

DNA Topoisomerases

Topoisomerases are enzymes that relax overwound DNA molecules during various cell processes, including DNA replication and transcription. These enzymes regulate positive and negative DNA supercoiling without changing the nucleotide sequence. DNA overwinding in a clockwise direction results in positively supercoiled DNA, whereas underwinding in a counterclockwise direction produces negatively supercoiled DNA.
Types and Mechanism of action
Topoisomerases are divided into two main types. Type I...

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

DNA replication is initiated at sites containing predefined DNA sequences known as origins of replication. DNA is unwound at these sites by the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase and other factors such as Cdc45 and the associated GINS complex.The unwound single strands are protected by replication protein A (RPA) until DNA polymerase starts synthesizing DNA at the 5’ end of the strand in the same direction as the replication fork. To prevent the replication fork from falling apart, a...

Homologous Recombination

Homologous Recombination

The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...

The DNA Replication Fork

The DNA Replication Fork

An organism’s genome needs to be duplicated in an efficient and error-free manner for its growth and survival. The replication fork is a Y-shaped active region where two strands of DNA are separated and replicated continuously. The coupling of DNA unzipping and complementary strand synthesis is a characteristic feature of a replication fork. Organisms with small circular DNA, such as E. coli, often have a single origin of replication; therefore, they have only two replication forks, one in...

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A Fluorescence-based Exonuclease Assay to Characterize DmWRNexo, Orthologue of Human Progeroid WRN Exonuclease, and Its Application to Other Nucleases

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Werner helicase wings DNA binding.

Kelly A Hoadley, James L Keck

Structure (London, England : 1993)

|February 18, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Werner helicase structure reveals DNA binding by its winged-helix domain. This finding advances understanding of DNA unwinding by RecQ helicases.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Structural Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Werner helicase is a member of the RecQ family of DNA helicases.
RecQ helicases play crucial roles in maintaining genomic stability.
Dysfunction of Werner helicase is associated with Werner syndrome, a premature aging disorder.

Discussion:

The study presents the crystal structure of the winged-helix domain of Werner helicase bound to DNA.
This structural information provides atomic-level details of protein-DNA interactions.
The winged-helix domain is critical for DNA binding and recognition.

Key Insights:

The structure elucidates how the winged-helix domain specifically recognizes and binds to DNA.
This complex formation is a key step in the DNA unwinding process mediated by Werner helicase.
Insights into the DNA-binding mechanism of RecQ helicases are provided.

Outlook:

Further structural studies of other RecQ helicase domains could reveal conserved and unique DNA interaction mechanisms.
Understanding these mechanisms can aid in the development of targeted therapeutics for diseases associated with helicase dysfunction.
This work lays the foundation for future investigations into the dynamic unwinding process.