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Rachel M Mitton-Fry

Publications and source records attributed to Rachel M Mitton-Fry.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Multiple domains of EBER 1, an Epstein-Barr virus noncoding RNA, recruit human ribosomal protein L22.

EBER 1, a small noncoding viral RNA abundantly expressed in all cells transformed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), has been shown to associate with the human ribosomal protein L22. Here we present in vitro binding studies using purified RNAs and recombinant proteins. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays (EMSAs) show that recombinant L22 (rL22) and maltose-binding protein (MBP)-tagged L22 protein bind EBER 1 in vitro, both forming three specific protein-dependent mobility shifts. Use of a mixture of rL22 and MBP-L22 indicates that these three shifts contain one, two, or three L22 proteins per EBER 1 molecule. EMSAs performed with EBER 1 deletion constructs and EBER 1 stem-loops inserted into a nonbinding RNA, HSUR 3, identify stem-loops I, III, and IV as L22 binding sites. The existence of multiple L22 binding sites on EBER 1 inside cells is demonstrated by in vivo UV cross-linking. Our results are discussed with respect to the function of EBER 1 in EBV-infected human B cells.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2004

Structural basis for telomeric single-stranded DNA recognition by yeast Cdc13.

The essential budding yeast telomere-binding protein Cdc13 is required for telomere replication and end protection. Cdc13 specifically binds telomeric, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) 3' overhangs with high affinity using an OB-fold domain. We have determined the high-resolution solution structure of the Cdc13 DNA-binding domain (DBD) complexed with a cognate telomeric ssDNA. The ssDNA wraps around one entire face of the Cdc13-DBD OB-fold in an extended, irregular conformation. Recognition of the ssDNA bases occurs primarily through aromatic, basic, and hydrophobic amino acid residues, the majority of which are evolutionarily conserved among budding yeast species and contribute significantly to the energetics of binding. Contacting five of 11 ssDNA nucleotides, the large, ordered beta2-beta3 loop is crucial for complex formation and is a unique elaboration on the binding mode commonly observed in OB-fold proteins. The sequence-specific Cdc13-DBD/ssDNA complex presents a complementary counterpoint to the interactions observed in the Oxytricha nova telomere end-binding and Schizosaccharomyces pombe Pot1 complexes. Analysis of the Cdc13-DBD/ssDNA complex indicates that molecular recognition of extended single-stranded nucleic acids may proceed via a folding-type mechanism rather than resulting from specific patterns of hydrogen bonds. The structure reported here provides a foundation for understanding the mechanism by which Cdc13 recognizes GT-rich heterogeneous sequences with both unusually strong affinity and high specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Nucleic acid recognition by OB-fold proteins.

The OB-fold domain is a compact structural motif frequently used for nucleic acid recognition. Structural comparison of all OB-fold/nucleic acid complexes solved to date confirms the low degree of sequence similarity among members of this family while highlighting several structural sequence determinants common to most of these OB-folds. Loops connecting the secondary structural elements in the OB-fold core are extremely variable in length and in functional detail. However, certain features of ligand binding are conserved among OB-fold complexes, including the location of the binding surface, the polarity of the nucleic acid with respect to the OB-fold, and particular nucleic acid-protein interactions commonly used for recognition of single-stranded and unusually structured nucleic acids. Intriguingly, the observation of shared nucleic acid polarity may shed light on the longstanding question concerning OB-fold origins, indicating that it is unlikely that members of this family arose via convergent evolution.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2002

Conserved structure for single-stranded telomeric DNA recognition.

The essential Cdc13 protein in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a single-stranded telomeric DNA binding protein required for chromosome end protection and telomere replication. Here we report the solution structure of the Cdc13 DNA binding domain in complex with telomeric DNA. The structure reveals the use of a single OB (oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding) fold augmented by an unusually large loop for DNA recognition. This OB fold is structurally similar to OB folds found in the ciliated protozoan telomere end-binding protein, although no sequence similarity is apparent between them. The common usage of an OB fold for telomeric DNA interaction demonstrates conservation of end-protection mechanisms among eukaryotes.

Binding Sites↗