ATP-dependent conformational change in ABC-ATPase RecF serves as a switch in DNA repair

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 1;8(1):2127. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20557-0.

Abstract

RecF is a principal member of the RecF pathway. It interacts with RecO and RecR to initiate homologous recombination by loading RecA recombinases on single-stranded DNA and displacing single-stranded DNA-binding proteins. As an ATP-binding cassette ATPase, RecF exhibits ATP-dependent dimerization and structural homology with Rad50 and SMC proteins. However, the mechanism and action pattern of RecF ATP-dependent dimerization remains unclear. Here, We determined three crystal structures of TTERecF, TTERecF-ATP and TTERecF-ATPɤS from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis that reveal a novel ATP-driven RecF dimerization. RecF contains a positively charged tunnel on its dimer interface that is essential to ATP binding. Our structural and biochemical data indicate that the Walker A motif serves as a switch and plays a key role in ATP binding and RecF dimerization. Furthermore, Biolayer interferometry assay results showed that the TTERecF interacted with ATP and formed a dimer, displaying a higher affinity for DNA than that of the TTERecF monomer. Overall, our results provide a solid structural basis for understanding the process of RecF binding with ATP and the functional mechanism of ATP-dependent RecF dimerization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA Repair*
  • DNA Replication*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Thermoanaerobacter / enzymology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • recF protein, Bacteria