Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

The MultiBac Protein Complex Production Platform at the EMBL
13:51

The MultiBac Protein Complex Production Platform at the EMBL

Published on: July 11, 2013

15.8K

Structure of the bacteriophage Mu transposase core: a common structural motif for DNA transposition and retroviral

P Rice1, K Mizuuchi

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0540, USA.

Cell
|July 28, 1995
PubMed

Insights

The crystal structure of bacteriophage Mu transposase (MuA) reveals a similarity to HIV-1 integrase. Its active site appears inactive in monomeric form, suggesting DNA binding activates MuA.

Area of Science:

  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Bacteriophage Mu transposase (MuA) is essential for viral DNA integration.
  • Understanding MuA's structure is key to elucidating its catalytic mechanism.
  • MuA shares functional similarities with other DNA-processing enzymes like HIV-1 integrase.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the high-resolution crystal structure of the MuA core domain.
  • To compare the structural features of MuA with related enzymes.
  • To investigate the structural basis for MuA's regulation and activation.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography at 2.4 A resolution.
  • Analysis of three independent monomer structures from two crystal forms.
  • Comparative structural analysis with other nucleases.

Main Results:

  • The crystal structure of the MuA core domain was elucidated.
  • MuA's active site subdomain shows significant structural similarity to HIV-1 integrase.
  • The active site was consistently observed in an apparently inactive conformation in the monomer.
  • A beta-barrel subdomain connects to the active site subdomain.

Conclusions:

  • MuA's structure shares conserved features with other integrases, suggesting a common evolutionary origin or functional adaptation.
  • The inactive conformation of the active site in the monomer implies a regulatory mechanism.
  • Interactions between subdomains may control MuA activity, potentially linking DNA binding to activation.

More Related Videos

Bidirectional Retroviral Integration Site PCR Methodology and Quantitative Data Analysis Workflow12:53

Bidirectional Retroviral Integration Site PCR Methodology and Quantitative Data Analysis Workflow

Published on: June 14, 2017

10.2K
Rapid Assembly of Multi-Gene Constructs using Modular Golden Gate Cloning08:31

Rapid Assembly of Multi-Gene Constructs using Modular Golden Gate Cloning

Published on: February 5, 2021

13.9K

Related Concept Videos

Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
59.0K
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
3.0K
Mechanism of Conjugation01:19

Mechanism of Conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that enables the exchange of genetic material between bacterial cells through direct contact. This process is facilitated by a donor cell carrying a conjugative plasmid, which encodes genes necessary for pilus formation, DNA replication, and transfer. The conjugative plasmid plays a central role in initiating and executing the transfer of genetic material.The tra region of the conjugative plasmid encodes proteins responsible for...
1.6K
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
3.0K
DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
1.6K
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
1.5K