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Topological characterization of the DnaA-oriC complex using single-molecule nanomanipuation.

TitleTopological characterization of the DnaA-oriC complex using single-molecule nanomanipuation.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsZorman, S, Seitz, H, Sclavi, B, Strick, TR
JournalNucleic Acids Res
Volume40
Issue15
Pagination7375-83
Date Published2012 Aug
ISSN1362-4962
KeywordsAdenosine Triphosphate, Bacterial Proteins, Biomechanical Phenomena, DNA, Bacterial, DNA-Binding Proteins, Escherichia coli, Mutation, Origin Recognition Complex, Replication Origin
Abstract

In most bacteria, the timing and synchrony of initiation of chromosomal replication are determined by the binding of the AAA(+) protein DnaA to a set of high- and low-affinity sites found within the origin of chromosomal replication (oriC). Despite the large amount of information on the role and regulation of DnaA, the actual structure of the DnaA-oriC complex and the mechanism by which it primes the origin for the initiation of replication remain unclear. In this study, we have performed magnetic tweezers experiments to investigate the structural properties of the DnaA-oriC complex. We show that the DnaA-ATP-oriC complex adopts a right-handed helical conformation involving a variable amount of DNA and protein whose features fit qualitatively as well as quantitatively with an existing model based on the crystal structure of a truncated DnaA tetramer obtained in the absence of DNA. We also investigate the topological effect of oriC's DNA unwinding element.

DOI10.1093/nar/gks371
Alternate JournalNucleic Acids Res.
PubMed ID22581769
PubMed Central IDPMC3424547

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