Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins01:03

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

14.8K
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...
14.8K
DNA Helicases00:55

DNA Helicases

22.0K
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...
22.0K
DNA Topoisomerases02:02

DNA Topoisomerases

31.6K
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. ...
31.6K
Restarting Stalled Replication Forks02:37

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

5.9K
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,...
5.9K
The DNA Replication Fork01:02

The DNA Replication Fork

36.4K
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...
36.4K
Homologous Recombination02:31

Homologous Recombination

50.8K
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...
50.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Smc5/6 uses its head-NSE module to preferentially associate with ssDNA gaps and ss-dsDNA junctions.

Nucleic acids research·2026
Same author

Dpb11 facilitates the colocalization of Mec1-Ddc2 with its activators on gapped DNA.

Cell reports·2026
Same author

Spatial and genetic constraints govern transcription-translation coupling and mRNA degradation in bacteria.

Nature microbiology·2026
Same author

Transcription attenuation amplifies collateral vulnerabilities in rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Nature microbiology·2026
Same author

Multi-subunit collaboration enables Smc5/6 to function as a composite SUMO E3 complex.

Research square·2026
Same author

Replication fork remodeling proteins, Smc5/6 and Rtt107, promote palindrome-mediated genome instability.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2025

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions
06:48

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions

Published on: February 10, 2022

6.9K

Smc5/6's multifaceted DNA binding capacities stabilize branched DNA structures.

Jeremy T-H Chang1,2, Shibai Li3, Emily C Beckwitt4

  • 1Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.

Nature Communications
|November 23, 2022
PubMed
Summary

The Smc5/6 complex binds DNA differently depending on its form, showing dynamic association with double-stranded DNA and stable binding to junction DNA. This differential binding is key to its roles in DNA repair and viral restriction.

More Related Videos

Tools to Study the Role of Architectural Protein HMGB1 in the Processing of Helix Distorting, Site-specific DNA Interstrand Crosslinks
12:19

Tools to Study the Role of Architectural Protein HMGB1 in the Processing of Helix Distorting, Site-specific DNA Interstrand Crosslinks

Published on: November 10, 2016

8.4K
Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules
09:32

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules

Published on: April 12, 2019

6.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 20, 2025

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions
06:48

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions

Published on: February 10, 2022

6.9K
Tools to Study the Role of Architectural Protein HMGB1 in the Processing of Helix Distorting, Site-specific DNA Interstrand Crosslinks
12:19

Tools to Study the Role of Architectural Protein HMGB1 in the Processing of Helix Distorting, Site-specific DNA Interstrand Crosslinks

Published on: November 10, 2016

8.4K
Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules
09:32

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules

Published on: April 12, 2019

6.5K

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The Smc5/6 complex is crucial for DNA replication, repair, and viral DNA restriction.
  • Mechanistic understanding of Smc5/6's DNA interactions is limited.
  • Its diverse functions necessitate detailed studies on DNA binding dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanistic basis of Smc5/6 complex association with different DNA structures.
  • To visualize Smc5/6 behavior on double-stranded (dsDNA), single-stranded (ssDNA), and junction DNA simultaneously.
  • To elucidate how Smc5/6 interactions with DNA contribute to its cellular roles.

Main Methods:

  • Correlative single-molecule fluorescence microscopy.
  • Single-molecule force spectroscopy.
  • Simultaneous visualization of Smc5/6 on dsDNA, ssDNA, and junction DNA.

Main Results:

  • Smc5/6 exhibits distinct binding behaviors: dynamic association with dsDNA and stable binding to junction DNA.
  • The Nse1-3-4 subcomplex and ATP binding promote Smc5/6 dsDNA association.
  • Smc5/6 assembly on junction DNA-associated ssDNA is Nse1-3-4 dependent but ATP-independent.
  • Smc5/6 stabilizes junction DNA by inhibiting ssDNA annealing.

Conclusions:

  • Smc5/6's multifaceted DNA binding modes provide a framework for its diverse functions.
  • Understanding these interactions is vital for comprehending genome maintenance and viral DNA restriction.
  • The study reveals novel insights into Smc5/6 complex dynamics and regulation.