The Rad50 zinc-hook is a structure joining Mre11 complexes in DNA recombination and repair Journal Article


Authors: Hopfner, K. P.; Craig, L.; Moncalian, G.; Zinkel, R. A.; Usui, T.; Owen, B. A. L.; Karcher, A.; Henderson, B.; Bodmer, J. L.; McMurray, C. T.; Carney, J. P.; Petrini, J. H. J.; Tainer, J. A.
Article Title: The Rad50 zinc-hook is a structure joining Mre11 complexes in DNA recombination and repair
Abstract: The Mre11 complex (Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1) is central to chromosomal maintenance and functions in homologous recombination, telomere maintenance and sister chromatid association(1-7). These functions all imply that the linked binding of two DNA substrates occurs, although the molecular basis for this process remains unknown. Here we present a 2.2 Angstrom crystal structure of the Rad50 coiled-coil region that reveals an unexpected dimer interface at the apex of the coiled coils in which pairs of conserved Cys-X-X-Cys motifs form interlocking hooks that bind one Zn2+ ion. Biochemical, X-ray and electron microscopy data indicate that these hooks can join oppositely protruding Rad50 coiled-coil domains to forma flexible bridge of up to 1,200 Angstrom. This suggests a function for the long insertion in the Rad50 ABC-ATPase domain(8). The Rad50 hook is functional, because mutations in this motif confer radiation sensitivity in yeast and disrupt binding at the distant Mre11 nuclease interface. These data support an architectural role for the Rad50 coiled coils in forming metal-mediated bridging complexes between two DNA-binding heads. The resulting assemblies have appropriate lengths and conformational properties to link sister chromatids in homologous recombination and DNA ends in non-homologous end-joining.
Keywords: protein; nuclease; yeast; saccharomyces-cerevisiae; cells; strand break repair; maintenance; complex; escherichia-coli; requirement
Journal Title: Nature
Volume: 418
Issue: 6897
ISSN: 0028-0836
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group  
Date Published: 2002-08-01
Start Page: 562
End Page: 566
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:000177162800047
DOI: 10.1038/nature00922
PROVIDER: wos
PUBMED: 12152085
Notes: Article -- Source: Wos
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  1. Takehiko Usui
    6 Usui
  2. John Petrini
    94 Petrini