The unstructured linker arms of MutL enable GATC site incision beyond roadblocks during initiation of DNA mismatch repair.

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) maintains genome stability through repair of DNA replication errors. In Escherichia coli, initiation of MMR involves recognition of the mismatch by MutS, recruitment of MutL, activation of endonuclease MutH and DNA strand incision at a hemimethylated GATC site. Here, we studied the mechanism of communication that couples mismatch recognition to daughter strand incision.

Sharp kinking of a coiled-coil in MutS allows DNA binding and release.

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) corrects mismatches, small insertions and deletions in DNA during DNA replication. While scanning for mismatches, dimers of MutS embrace the DNA helix with their lever and clamp domains. Previous studies indicated generic flexibility of the lever and clamp domains of MutS prior to DNA binding, but whether this was important for MutS function was unknown.

USP48 restrains resection by site-specific cleavage of the BRCA1 ubiquitin mark from H2A.

BRCA1-BARD1-catalyzed ubiquitination of histone H2A is an important regulator of the DNA damage response, priming chromatin for repair by homologous recombination. However, no specific deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are known to antagonize this function. Here we identify ubiquitin specific protease-48 (USP48) as a H2A DUB, specific for the C-terminal BRCA1 ubiquitination site.

Dual daughter strand incision is processive and increases the efficiency of DNA mismatch repair.

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is an evolutionarily-conserved process responsible for the repair of replication errors. In Escherichia coli, MMR is initiated by MutS and MutL, which activate MutH to incise transiently-hemimethylated GATC sites. MMR efficiency depends on the distribution of these GATC sites.

MutS/MutL crystal structure reveals that the MutS sliding clamp loads MutL onto DNA.

To avoid mutations in the genome, DNA replication is generally followed by DNA mismatch repair (MMR). MMR starts when a MutS homolog recognizes a mismatch and undergoes an ATP-dependent transformation to an elusive sliding clamp state. How this transient state promotes MutL homolog recruitment and activation of repair is unclear.

Mismatch repair inhibits homeologous recombination via coordinated directional unwinding of trapped DNA structures.

Homeologous recombination between divergent DNA sequences is inhibited by DNA mismatch repair. In Escherichia coli, MutS and MutL respond to DNA mismatches within recombination intermediates and prevent strand exchange via an unknown mechanism. Here, using purified proteins and DNA substrates, we find that in addition to mismatches within the heteroduplex region, secondary structures within the displaced single-stranded DNA formed during branch migration within the recombination intermediate are involved in the inhibition.

Using stable MutS dimers and tetramers to quantitatively analyze DNA mismatch recognition and sliding clamp formation.

The process of DNA mismatch repair is initiated when MutS recognizes mismatched DNA bases and starts the repair cascade. The Escherichia coli MutS protein exists in an equilibrium between dimers and tetramers, which has compromised biophysical analysis. To uncouple these states, we have generated stable dimers and tetramers, respectively.

Native mass spectrometry provides direct evidence for DNA mismatch-induced regulation of asymmetric nucleotide binding in mismatch repair protein MutS.

The DNA mismatch repair protein MutS recognizes mispaired bases in DNA and initiates repair in an ATP-dependent manner. Understanding of the allosteric coupling between DNA mismatch recognition and two asymmetric nucleotide binding sites at opposing sides of the MutS dimer requires identification of the relevant MutS.mmDNA.

Magnesium coordination controls the molecular switch function of DNA mismatch repair protein MutS.

The DNA mismatch repair protein MutS acts as a molecular switch. It toggles between ADP and ATP states and is regulated by mismatched DNA. This is analogous to G-protein switches and the regulation of their "on" and "off" states by guanine exchange factors.

Dual role of MutS glutamate 38 in DNA mismatch discrimination and in the authorization of repair.

MutS plays a critical role in DNA mismatch repair in Escherichia coli by binding to mismatches and initiating repair in an ATP-dependent manner. Mutational analysis of a highly conserved glutamate, Glu38, has revealed its role in mismatch recognition by enabling MutS to discriminate between homoduplex and mismatched DNA. Crystal structures of MutS have shown that Glu38 forms a hydrogen bond to one of the mismatched bases.

ATP increases the affinity between MutS ATPase domains. Implications for ATP hydrolysis and conformational changes.

MutS is the key protein of the Escherichia coli DNA mismatch repair system. It recognizes mispaired and unpaired bases and has intrinsic ATPase activity. ATP binding after mismatch recognition by MutS serves as a switch that enables MutL binding and the subsequent initiation of mismatch repair.

Structures of Escherichia coli DNA mismatch repair enzyme MutS in complex with different mismatches: a common recognition mode for diverse substrates.

We have refined a series of isomorphous crystal structures of the Escherichia coli DNA mismatch repair enzyme MutS in complex with G:T, A:A, C:A and G:G mismatches and also with a single unpaired thymidine. In all these structures, the DNA is kinked by approximately 60 degrees upon protein binding. Two residues widely conserved in the MutS family are involved in mismatch recognition.

The alternating ATPase domains of MutS control DNA mismatch repair.

DNA mismatch repair is an essential safeguard of genomic integrity by removing base mispairings that may arise from DNA polymerase errors or from homologous recombination between DNA strands. In Escherichia coli, the MutS enzyme recognizes mismatches and initiates repair. MutS has an intrinsic ATPase activity crucial for its function, but which is poorly understood.