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Title: Structural asymmetry governs the assembly and GTPase activity of McrBC restriction complexes

Abstract

Abstract McrBC complexes are motor-driven nucleases functioning in bacterial self-defense by cleaving foreign DNA. The GTP-specific AAA + protein McrB powers translocation along DNA and its hydrolysis activity is stimulated by its partner nuclease McrC. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of Thermococcus gammatolerans McrB and McrBC, and E. coli McrBC. The McrB hexamers, containing the necessary catalytic machinery for basal GTP hydrolysis, are intrinsically asymmetric. This asymmetry directs McrC binding so that it engages a single active site, where it then uses an arginine/lysine-mediated hydrogen-bonding network to reposition the asparagine in the McrB signature motif for optimal catalytic function. While the two McrBC complexes use different DNA-binding domains, these contribute to the same general GTP-recognition mechanism employed by all G proteins. Asymmetry also induces distinct inter-subunit interactions around the ring, suggesting a coordinated and directional GTP-hydrolysis cycle. Our data provide insights into the conserved molecular mechanisms governing McrB family AAA + motors.

Authors:
ORCiD logo; ORCiD logo; ; ORCiD logo; ORCiD logo
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Org.:
National Institutes of Health (NIH); National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS); Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP); USDOE Office of Science (SC)
OSTI Identifier:
1833741
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1763102
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC02-06CH11357; GM120242; S10 RR029205
Resource Type:
Published Article
Journal Name:
Nature Communications
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Volume: 11 Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher:
Nature Publishing Group
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Subject:
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; Cryoelectron microscopy; DNA-binding proteins; DNA restriction-modification enzymes; GTP-binding protein regulators; Hydrolases

Citation Formats

Niu, Yiming, Suzuki, Hiroshi, Hosford, Christopher J., Walz, Thomas, and Chappie, Joshua S. Structural asymmetry governs the assembly and GTPase activity of McrBC restriction complexes. United Kingdom: N. p., 2020. Web. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19735-4.
Niu, Yiming, Suzuki, Hiroshi, Hosford, Christopher J., Walz, Thomas, & Chappie, Joshua S. Structural asymmetry governs the assembly and GTPase activity of McrBC restriction complexes. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19735-4
Niu, Yiming, Suzuki, Hiroshi, Hosford, Christopher J., Walz, Thomas, and Chappie, Joshua S. Fri . "Structural asymmetry governs the assembly and GTPase activity of McrBC restriction complexes". United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19735-4.
@article{osti_1833741,
title = {Structural asymmetry governs the assembly and GTPase activity of McrBC restriction complexes},
author = {Niu, Yiming and Suzuki, Hiroshi and Hosford, Christopher J. and Walz, Thomas and Chappie, Joshua S.},
abstractNote = {Abstract McrBC complexes are motor-driven nucleases functioning in bacterial self-defense by cleaving foreign DNA. The GTP-specific AAA + protein McrB powers translocation along DNA and its hydrolysis activity is stimulated by its partner nuclease McrC. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of Thermococcus gammatolerans McrB and McrBC, and E. coli McrBC. The McrB hexamers, containing the necessary catalytic machinery for basal GTP hydrolysis, are intrinsically asymmetric. This asymmetry directs McrC binding so that it engages a single active site, where it then uses an arginine/lysine-mediated hydrogen-bonding network to reposition the asparagine in the McrB signature motif for optimal catalytic function. While the two McrBC complexes use different DNA-binding domains, these contribute to the same general GTP-recognition mechanism employed by all G proteins. Asymmetry also induces distinct inter-subunit interactions around the ring, suggesting a coordinated and directional GTP-hydrolysis cycle. Our data provide insights into the conserved molecular mechanisms governing McrB family AAA + motors.},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-020-19735-4},
journal = {Nature Communications},
number = 1,
volume = 11,
place = {United Kingdom},
year = {Fri Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 2020},
month = {Fri Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 2020}
}

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