Residues in the RecQ C-terminal Domain of the Human Werner Syndrome Helicase Are Involved in Unwinding G-quadruplex DNA. 2017

Amit Ketkar, and Markus Voehler, and Tresor Mukiza, and Robert L Eoff
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-7199.

The structural and biophysical properties typically associated with G-quadruplex (G4) structures render them a significant block for DNA replication, which must be overcome for cell division to occur. The Werner syndrome protein (WRN) is a RecQ family helicase that has been implicated in the efficient processing of G4 DNA structures. The aim of this study was to identify the residues of WRN involved in the binding and ATPase-driven unwinding of G4 DNA. Using a c-Myc G4 DNA model sequence and recombinant WRN, we have determined that the RecQ-C-terminal (RQC) domain of WRN imparts a 2-fold preference for binding to G4 DNA relative to non-G4 DNA substrates. NMR studies identified residues involved specifically in interactions with G4 DNA. Three of the amino acids in the WRN RQC domain that exhibited the largest G4-specific changes in NMR signal were then mutated alone or in combination. Mutating individual residues implicated in G4 binding had a modest effect on WRN binding to DNA, decreasing the preference for G4 substrates by ∼25%. Mutating two G4-interacting residues (T1024G and T1086G) abrogated preferential binding of WRN to G4 DNA. Very modest decreases in G4 DNA-stimulated ATPase activity were observed for the mutant enzymes. Most strikingly, G4 unwinding by WRN was inhibited ∼50% for all three point mutants and >90% for the WRN double mutant (T1024G/T1086G) relative to normal B-form dsDNA substrates. Our work has helped to identify residues in the WRN RQC domain that are involved specifically in the interaction with G4 DNA.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008958 Models, Molecular Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures. Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D009154 Mutation Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations. Mutations
D004247 DNA A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine). DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D004260 DNA Repair The removal of DNA LESIONS and/or restoration of intact DNA strands without BASE PAIR MISMATCHES, intrastrand or interstrand crosslinks, or discontinuities in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbones. DNA Damage Response
D004261 DNA Replication The process by which a DNA molecule is duplicated. Autonomous Replication,Replication, Autonomous,Autonomous Replications,DNA Replications,Replication, DNA,Replications, Autonomous,Replications, DNA
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000071657 Werner Syndrome Helicase A DNA-dependent helicase and 3'-5' exonuclease. It has 3'->5' exonuclease activity towards double-stranded DNA with a 5'-overhang and binds preferentially to DNA substrates containing alternate secondary structures, such as replication forks and HOLLIDAY JUNCTIONS. Mutations in the WRN gene are associated with WERNER SYNDROME. RECQ3 Protein,RECQL2 Protein,Werner Syndrome ATP-Dependent Helicase,Werner Syndrome RecQ-Like Helicase,Helicase, Werner Syndrome,Werner Syndrome ATP Dependent Helicase,Werner Syndrome RecQ Like Helicase
D000072417 Protein Domains Discrete protein structural units that may fold independently of the rest of the protein and have their own functions. Peptide Domain,Protein Domain,Domain, Peptide,Domain, Protein,Domains, Peptide,Domains, Protein,Peptide Domains
D014898 Werner Syndrome An autosomal recessive disorder that causes premature aging in adults, characterized by sclerodermal skin changes, cataracts, subcutaneous calcification, muscular atrophy, a tendency to diabetes mellitus, aged appearance of the face, baldness, and a high incidence of neoplastic disease. Progeria, Adult,Adult Premature Aging Syndrome,Adult Progeria,Werner's Syndrome,Werners Syndrome,Syndrome, Werner,Syndrome, Werner's,Syndrome, Werners
D054856 G-Quadruplexes Higher-order DNA and RNA structures formed from guanine-rich sequences. They are formed around a core of at least 2 stacked tetrads of hydrogen-bonded GUANINE bases. They can be formed from one two or four separate strands of DNA (or RNA) and can display a wide variety of topologies, which are a consequence of various combinations of strand direction, length, and sequence. (From Nucleic Acids Res. 2006;34(19):5402-15) DNA G-Quadruplexes,DNA, Quadruplex,G-Quadruplexes, DNA,G-Quadruplexes, RNA,Guanine-Quadruplexes,Guanine-Quartets,Guanine-Tetrads,Quadruplex DNA,RNA, G-Quadruplexes,Tetraplex DNA,DNA G Quadruplexes,DNA, Tetraplex,G Quadruplexes,G Quadruplexes, DNA,G Quadruplexes, RNA,G-Quadruplexes RNA,G-Quadruplexes RNAs,Guanine Quadruplexes,Guanine Quartets,Guanine Tetrads,Guanine-Quartet,Guanine-Tetrad,RNA G-Quadruplexes,RNA, G Quadruplexes,RNAs, G-Quadruplexes

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