Replication protein A (RPA) is a eukaryotic single-stranded (ss) DNA-binding (SSB) protein that is essential for all aspects of genome maintenance. RPA binds ssDNA with high affinity but can also diffuse along ssDNA. By itself, RPA is capable of transiently disrupting short regions of duplex DNA by diffusing from a ssDNA that flanks the duplex DNA. Using single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence and optical trapping combined with fluorescence approaches, we show that Pif1 can use its ATP-dependent 5' to 3' translocase activity to chemomechanically push a single human RPA (hRPA) heterotrimer directionally along ssDNA at rates comparable to those of Pif1 translocation alone. We further show that using its translocation activity, Pif1 can push hRPA from a ssDNA loading site into a duplex DNA causing stable disruption of at least 9 bp of duplex DNA. These results highlight the dynamic nature of hRPA enabling it to be readily reorganized even when bound tightly to ssDNA and demonstrate a mechanism by which directional DNA unwinding can be achieved through the combined action of a ssDNA translocase that pushes an SSB protein. These results highlight the two basic requirements for any processive DNA helicase: transient DNA base pair melting (supplied by hRPA) and ATP-dependent directional ssDNA translocation (supplied by Pif1) and that these functions can be unlinked by using two separate proteins.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2216777120 | DOI Listing |
Commun Chem
January 2025
Chemistry of Functional Molecules, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
Psoralen-conjugated triplex-forming oligonucleotides (Ps-TFOs) have been employed for the photodynamic regulation of gene expression by the photo-cross-linking of psoralen with the target DNA. However, stable triplex formation requires a consecutive purine base sequence in one strand of the target DNA duplexes. The pyrimidine-base interruption in the consecutive purine base sequence drastically decreases the thermodynamic stability of the corresponding triplex, which hampers the TFO application.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Macro Lett
January 2025
Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States.
We investigate the impact of poly adenine (poly-A) sequences on the type and stability of liquid crystalline (LC) phases formed by concentrated solutions of gapped DNA (two duplex arms bridged by a flexible single strand) using synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering and polarizing optical microscopy. While samples with mixed sequence form layered (smectic) phases, poly-A samples demonstrate a columnar phase at lower temperatures (5-35 °C), not previously observed in GDNA samples, and a smectic-B phase of exceptional stability at higher temperatures (35-65 °C). We present a model that connects the formation of these LC phases with the unique characteristics of poly-A sequences, which manifest in various biological contexts, including DNA condensation and nucleosome formation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBioconjug Chem
January 2025
Departments of Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1,Canada.
The ability to label synthetic oligonucleotides with fluorescent probes has greatly expanded their nanotechnological applications. To continue this expansion, it is essential to develop approachable, modular, and tunable fluorescent platforms. In this study, we present the synthesis and incorporation of an amino-formyl-thieno[3,2-]thiophene (AFTh) handle at the 5'-position of DNA oligonucleotides.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrob Cell Fact
January 2025
National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China.
Background: Ogataea polymorpha, a non-conventional methylotrophic yeast, has demonstrated significant potential for heterologous protein expression and the production of high-value chemicals and biopharmaceuticals. However, the lack of precise and efficient genome editing tools severely hinders the construction of cell factories. Although the CARISP-Cas9 system has been established in Ogataea polymorpha, the gene editing efficiency, especially for multiple genes edition, needs to be further improved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnal Chim Acta
February 2025
Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China. Electronic address:
Background: β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), a major allergen in dairy products, can trigger severe allergic reactions and even fatal outcomes in infants. In this work, we develop a new low background current redox recycling strategy by conjugating the electrochemical mediator to trimetallic hybrid nanoparticles (NPs)-dispersed graphene as the signal tag, which is coupled with DNAzyme amplifications to construct highly catalytic and ultrasensitive β-Lg aptasensor.
Results: Target β-Lg molecules bind aptamers in DNAzyme/aptamer duplexes to release active DNAzymes to initiate cyclic cleavage of hairpin substrates.
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