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Related Concept Videos

DNA Helicases00:55

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...
Homologous Recombination02:31

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...
Restarting Stalled Replication Forks02:37

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...
Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins01:03

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 Topoisomerases02:02

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...
The Replisome03:01

The Replisome

DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or the replisome.
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with the...

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Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase
07:37

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

Published on: September 27, 2024

RNA helicases at work: binding and rearranging.

Eckhard Jankowsky1

  • 1Center for RNA Molecular Biology & Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. exj13@case.edu

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|September 4, 2010
PubMed
Summary

RNA helicases are essential enzymes that manage RNA. This review explores their structures and mechanisms, revealing physical models for their cellular functions in RNA metabolism.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • RNA helicases are vital, conserved enzymes involved in all RNA metabolism processes.
  • These enzymes utilize ATP to bind and modify RNA and RNA-protein complexes.
  • Understanding the physical mechanisms of RNA helicase action is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on RNA helicase structure and mechanism.
  • To present emerging physical models for RNA helicase cellular functions.
  • To connect structural and mechanistic themes with biological roles.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of structural and mechanistic studies on RNA helicases.
  • Analysis of emerging physical models for enzyme function.
  • Synthesis of information linking structure, mechanism, and biological roles.

Main Results:

  • Identified major structural and mechanistic themes in RNA helicase function.
  • Highlighted emerging physical models explaining enzyme action.
  • Established links between enzyme structure, mechanism, and cellular roles.

Conclusions:

  • RNA helicase function is understood through major structural and mechanistic themes.
  • Emerging physical models provide insights into their cellular roles.
  • Further research continues to elucidate the physical basis of RNA helicase activity.