Crystal and solution structures of the helicase-binding domain of Escherichia coli primase

Oakley, Aaron J., Loscha, Karin V., Schaeffer, Patrick M., Liepinsh, Edvards, Pintacuda, Guido, Wilce, Matthew C.J., Otting, Gottfried, and Dixon, Nicholas E. (2005) Crystal and solution structures of the helicase-binding domain of Escherichia coli primase. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280 (12). pp. 11495-11504.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Published Version)
Download (886kB)
View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M412645200
 
61
1120


Abstract

During bacterial DNA replication, the DnaG primase interacts with the hexameric DnaB helicase to synthesize RNA primers for extension by DNA polymerase. In Escherichia coli, this occurs by transient interaction of primase with the helicase. Here we demonstrate directly by surface plasmon resonance that the C-terminal domain of primase is responsible for interaction with DnaB6. Determination of the 2.8-Å crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of primase revealed an asymmetric dimer. The monomers have an N-terminal helix bundle similar to the N-terminal domain of DnaB, followed by a long helix that connects to a C-terminal helix hairpin. The connecting helix is interrupted differently in the two monomers. Solution studies using NMR showed that an equilibrium exists between a monomeric species with an intact, extended but naked, connecting helix and a dimer in which this helix is interrupted in the same way as in one of the crystal conformers. The other conformer is not significantly populated in solution, and its presence in the crystal is due largely to crystal packing forces. It is proposed that the connecting helix contributes necessary structural flexibility in the primase-helicase complex at replication forks.

Item ID: 4681
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1083-351X
Additional Information:

Reproduced with permission from American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Date Deposited: 30 Sep 2009 03:43
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1101 Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics @ 70%
Downloads: Total: 1120
Last 12 Months: 88
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page