Journal article
A molecular throttle: the recombination hotspot chi controls DNA translocation by the RecBCD helicase
Cell (Cambridge), Vol.114(5), pp.647-654
09/05/2003
DOI: 10.1016/S0092-8674(03)00681-0
PMID: 13678587
Abstract
RecBCD enzyme is a heterotrimeric helicase/nuclease that initiates homologous recombination at double-stranded DNA breaks. Several of its activities are regulated by the DNA sequence chi (5'-GCTGGTGG-3'), which is recognized in cis by the translocating enzyme. When RecBCD enzyme encounters chi, the intensity and polarity of its nuclease activity are changed, and the enzyme gains the ability to load RecA protein onto the chi-containing, unwound single-stranded DNA. Here, we show that interaction with chi also affects translocation by RecBCD enzyme. By observing translocation of individual enzymes along single molecules of DNA, we could see RecBCD enzyme pause precisely at chi. Furthermore, and more unexpectedly, after pausing at chi, the enzyme continues translocating but at approximately one-half the initial rate. We propose that interaction with chi results in an enzyme in which one of the two motor subunits, likely the RecD motor, is uncoupled from the holoenzyme to produce the slower translocase.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A molecular throttle: the recombination hotspot chi controls DNA translocation by the RecBCD helicase
- Creators
- Maria Spies - Section of Microbiology, Center for Genetics and Development, University of California, Davis 9561, USAPiero R BiancoMark S DillinghamNaofumi HandaRonald J BaskinStephen C Kowalczykowski
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cell (Cambridge), Vol.114(5), pp.647-654
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0092-8674(03)00681-0
- PMID
- 13678587
- ISSN
- 0092-8674
- eISSN
- 1097-4172
- Grant note
- GM-64745 / NIGMS NIH HHS R01 GM064745 / NIGMS NIH HHS GM-41347 / NIGMS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/05/2003
- Academic Unit
- Radiation Oncology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9984025395202771
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