Structure of the Ku heterodimer bound to DNA and its implications for double-strand break repair Journal Article


Authors: Walker, J. R.; Corpina, R. A.; Goldberg, J.
Article Title: Structure of the Ku heterodimer bound to DNA and its implications for double-strand break repair
Abstract: The Ku heterodimer (Ku70 and Ku80 subunits) contributes to genomic integrity through its ability to bind DNA double-strand breaks and facilitate repair by the non-homologous end-joining pathway. The crystal structure of the human Ku heterodimer was determined both alone and bound to a 55-nucleotide DNA element at 2.7 and 2.5 Å resolution, respectively. Ku70 and Ku80 share a common topology and form a dyad-symmetrical molecule with a preformed ring that encircles duplex DNA. The binding site can cradle two full turns of DNA while encircling only the central 3-4 base pairs (bp). Ku makes no contacts with DNA bases and few with the sugar-phosphate backbone, but it fits sterically to major and minor groove contours so as to position the DNA helix in a defined path through the protein ring. These features seem well designed to structurally support broken DNA ends and to bring the DNA helix into phase across the junction during end processing and ligation.
Keywords: controlled study; dna-binding proteins; nonhuman; protein conformation; animal cell; dna repair; genes; protein dna binding; protein binding; animalia; dna strand breakage; nuclear proteins; dna; double stranded dna; amino acid sequence; molecular sequence data; sequence alignment; nucleotide sequence; recombinant proteins; binding site; crystal structure; models, molecular; crystallography, x-ray; nucleic acid conformation; ku antigen; dna helix; dna helicases; double-strand break repair; topology; insect; antigens, nuclear; kurchatovium; dimers; insecta; humans; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Nature
Volume: 412
Issue: 6847
ISSN: 0028-0836
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group  
Date Published: 2001-08-09
Start Page: 607
End Page: 614
Language: English
DOI: 10.1038/35088000
PUBMED: 11493912
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 21 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. John Walker
    1 Walker