Dna2 nuclease-helicase structure, mechanism and regulation by Rpa.
Publication Type:
Journal ArticleSource:
Elife, Volume 4 (2015)Keywords:
Animals, Catalytic Domain, Crystallography, X-Ray, DNA Helicases, DNA, Single-Stranded, Endodeoxyribonucleases, Mice, Models, Molecular, Multifunctional Enzymes, Protein Binding, Protein Conformation, Replication Protein AAbstract:
<p>The Dna2 nuclease-helicase maintains genomic integrity by processing DNA double-strand breaks, Okazaki fragments and stalled replication forks. Dna2 requires ssDNA ends, and is dependent on the ssDNA-binding protein Rpa, which controls cleavage polarity. Here we present the 2.3 Å structure of intact mouse Dna2 bound to a 15-nucleotide ssDNA. The nuclease active site is embedded in a long, narrow tunnel through which the DNA has to thread. The helicase domain is required for DNA binding but not threading. We also present the structure of a flexibly-tethered Dna2-Rpa interaction that recruits Dna2 to Rpa-coated DNA. We establish that a second Dna2-Rpa interaction is mutually exclusive with Rpa-DNA interactions and mediates the displacement of Rpa from ssDNA. This interaction occurs at the nuclease tunnel entrance and the 5' end of the Rpa-DNA complex. Hence, it only displaces Rpa from the 5' but not 3' end, explaining how Rpa regulates cleavage polarity.</p>