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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
12:48
The Multifaceted Benefits of Protein Co-expression in Escherichia coli
Published on: February 5, 2015
ATP is dispensable for E. coli DNA replication and eukaryotic helicase activity
Richard R Spinks1, Aleksa Lakic1, Celine Kelso1
1Molecular Horizons and School of Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Nature Communications
|June 4, 2026
Summary
DNA replication
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis powers cellular energy.
- DNA replication relies on the multi-enzyme replisome.
- ATP hydrolysis is believed to fuel replisome function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the energy source for DNA replication by the Escherichia coli replisome.
- To determine if ATP hydrolysis is essential for replicative helicase function.
Main Methods:
- Single-molecule visualization of DNA replication.
- Observing the Escherichia coli replisome in action.
Main Results:
- The DnaB helicase does not require ATP hydrolysis during elongation.
- Deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) is preferentially hydrolyzed over ATP.
- Replicative helicases from yeast, fruit flies, and humans can also utilize dTTP.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial and eukaryotic replicative helicases are 'flex-fuel' enzymes.
- Replicative helicases can utilize alternative nucleotide triphosphates for DNA unwinding.
- This challenges the established view of ATP-dependent DNA replication.
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