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Characterization of the Neisseria meningitidis Helicase RecG

Getachew Tesfaye Beyene1, Seetha V Balasingham2, Stephan A Frye2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Plos One
|October 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Neisseria meningitidis RecG helicase (RecGNm) is crucial for DNA repair and recombination. Its absence impacts bacterial transformation and protein expression, potentially explaining growth defects.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is a common bacterium that can cause serious infections like meningitis.
  • DNA repair mechanisms are vital for bacterial survival, especially under stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the DNA repair helicase RecG from Neisseria meningitidis (RecGNm).
  • To investigate the role of RecGNm in DNA repair, recombination, and response to genotoxic stress.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression, purification, and in vitro characterization of RecGNm.
  • Analysis of recGNm gene in Nm genomes, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
  • Phenotypic analysis of Nm ΔrecG mutant strains, including transformation assays and proteomic profiling.

Main Results:

  • RecGNm exhibits ATP-dependent DNA binding and unwinding activity on various substrates, including Holliday junctions.
  • Numerous SNPs were identified in recGNm, with some affecting conserved active site residues.
  • The Nm ΔrecG strain showed reduced DNA transformation efficiency.
  • Proteomic analysis indicated RecGNm expression is linked to DNA repair, replication, pilus biogenesis, and other cellular processes, potentially explaining observed growth defects.

Conclusions:

  • RecGNm plays a significant role in DNA repair and recombination in Neisseria meningitidis.
  • The genetic variations and functional properties of RecGNm highlight its importance in bacterial genome stability.
  • RecGNm influences multiple cellular pathways, affecting bacterial growth and survival.

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