Thioredoxin from Streptomyces aureofaciens controls coiling of plasmid DNA

A number of potential functions of thioredoxin have been proposed in literature, including a role for DNA replication. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of thioredoxin from Streptomyces aureofaciens (Trx S.a.) on plasmid DNA. Trx S.a. was incubated with plasmid forms and the incubation product(s) characterized on agarose gels. To compare Trx activity with enzymes with known DNA modifying activities, topoisomerase I, II (gyrase) and T4 DNA ligase were incubated with plasmid DNA in parallel. For the demonstration of nick removal a PCR technique was used. Trx S.a. bound non-specifically to plasmid DNA relaxing supercoiled circle closed form (CCC form) with subsequent formation of the circle closed form (CC form) as a major product. The amplification of a specific DNA template, possible only after nick removal, took place following incubation with Trx. The effect of topoisomerase I on plasmid DNA resembled Trx S.a. activity. We propose the following mechanism for CCC relaxation: Binding of Trx leads to a break of one strand and CC is formed by stepwise relaxation, ending with nick removal. The concomitant finding of open circle form (OC form) generation after incubation with Trx may indicate the generation of an intermediate due to the postulated strand break at initiation. This control of coiling may play a role in the DNA replication machinery, providing CC as a readily available substrate for DNA polymerases. In addition, Trx may serve in DNA repair mechanisms by its nonspecific binding to DNA and nick removing activity.