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S A Kozyavkin

Publications and source records attributed to S A Kozyavkin.

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A type IB topoisomerase with DNA repair activities.

Previously we have characterized type IB DNA topoisomerase V (topo V) in the hyperthermophile Methanopyrus kandleri. The enzyme has a powerful topoisomerase activity and is abundant in M. kandleri. Here we report two characterizations of topo V. First, we found that its N-terminal domain has sequence homology with both eukaryotic type IB topoisomerases and the integrase family of tyrosine recombinases. The C-terminal part of the sequence includes 12 repeats, each repeat consisting of two similar but distinct helix-hairpin-helix motifs; the same arrangement is seen in recombination protein RuvA and mammalian DNA polymerase beta. Second, on the basis of sequence homology between topo V and polymerase beta, we predict and demonstrate that topo V possesses apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site-processing activities that are important in base excision DNA repair: (i) it incises the phosphodiester backbone at the AP site, and (ii) at the AP endonuclease cleaved AP site, it removes the 5' 2-deoxyribose 5-phosphate moiety so that a single-nucleotide gap with a 3'-hydroxyl and 5'-phosphate can be filled by a DNA polymerase. Topo V is thus the prototype for a new subfamily of type IB topoisomerases and is the first example of a topoisomerase with associated DNA repair activities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evidence for an early prokaryotic origin of histones H2A and H4 prior to the emergence of eukaryotes.

Histones have been identified recently in many prokaryotes. These histones, unlike their eukaryotic homologs, are of a single uniform type that is thought to resemble the archetypal ancestor of the eukaryotic histone family. In this paper we report the finding, the cloning and the phylogenetic analysis of the sequence of a prokaryotic histone from the hyperthermophile Methanopyrus kandleri . Unlike previously described prokaryotic histones, the Methanopyrus sequence has a novel structure consisting of two tandemly repeated histone fold motifs in a single polypeptide. Sequence analyses indicate that the N-terminal repeat is most closely related to eukaryotic H2A and H4 histones, whereas the C-terminal repeat resembles that found in prokaryotic histones. These results imply an early divergence within the histone gene family prior to the emergence of eukaryotes and may represent an evolutionary step leading to eukaryotic histones.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A two-subunit type I DNA topoisomerase (reverse gyrase) from an extreme hyperthermophile.

A recently described reverse gyrase from the hyperthermophilic methanogen Methanopyrus kandleri is the only known example of a heterodimeric type I topoisomerase. The enzyme is made up of a 42-kDa subunit which covalently interacts with DNA (RgyA) and a 138-kDa subunit which binds ATP (RgyB). We have now cloned and sequenced the genes for both subunits of this enzyme. Surprisingly, the universally conserved type I topoisomerase domain [Lima, C. D., Wang, J. C. & Mondragon, A. (1994) Nature (London) 367, 138-146] which has been found as a contiguous polypeptide in the prokaryotes and eukaryotes is shared between the protomers. The subdomain with the active-site tyrosine is entirely within RgyA, whereas the subdomain implicated in noncovalent binding of the cleaved DNA strand is contained entirely in RgyB. The appearance of this unique structure in a highly conserved enzyme family supports the hypothesis that the methanogens branched from other prokaryotes and eukaryotes very early in evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNA enzymology above 100 degrees C. Topoisomerase V unlinks circular DNA at 80-122 degrees C.

The widespread application of polymerase chain reaction and related techniques in biology and medicine has led to a heightened interest in thermophilic enzymes of DNA metabolism. Some of these enzymes are stable for hours at 100 degrees C, but no enzymatic activity on duplex DNA at temperatures above 100 degrees C has so far been demonstrated. Recently, we isolated topoisomerase V from the hyperthermophile Methanopyrus kandleri, which grows up to 110 degrees C. This novel enzyme is similar to eukaryotic topoisomerase I and acts on duplex DNA regions. We now show that topoisomerase V catalyzes the unlinking of double-stranded circular DNA at temperatures up to 122 degrees C. In this in vitro system, maximal DNA unlinking occurs at 108 degrees C and corresponds to complementary strands being linked at most once. These results further imply that in the presence of sufficient positive supercoiling DNA can exist as a double helix even at 122 degrees C.

DNA Topoisomerases, Type I↗

A reverse gyrase with an unusual structure. A type I DNA topoisomerase from the hyperthermophile Methanopyrus kandleri is a two-subunit protein.

Reverse gyrase, an ATP-dependent topoisomerase that positively supercoils DNA, has been purified to near-homogeneity from the hyperthermophile Methanopyrus kandleri. It migrates on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as two principal bands with apparent molecular masses of 150 and 50 kDa. Both proteins remain associated throughout all chromatographic steps. Transfer of a radioactive phosphate from DNA to the 50-kDa protein and gel retardation experiments indicate that this protein forms the covalent complex with DNA. A blot overlay assay identifies the 150-kDa protein as the potential ATPase. This is the first evidence that a reverse gyrase can be a topoisomerase consisting of two protomers. In analogy with the DNA gyrase A subunit (DNA breakage and reunion activity) and the B subunit (ATPase), the 50- and 150-kDa components of Mka reverse gyrase have been designated the A and B subunits, respectively. Methanopyrus reverse gyrase changes DNA linking number in steps of one and its A subunit covalently binds to the 5'-DNA phosphoryl group. It nicks DNA at sites that predominantly have a cytosine at the -4-position. The same rule was derived previously for monomeric reverse gyrase from sulfur-metabolizing hyperthermophiles and for topoisomerase I from mesophilic bacteria. Based on these results, Mka reverse gyrase is classified as belonging to group A of type I topoisomerases. The structural diversity of type I group A topoisomerases parallels the diversity of type II enzymes and suggests the evolution of an essential function by gene fusion.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Purification and characterization of DNA topoisomerase V. An enzyme from the hyperthermophilic prokaryote Methanopyrus kandleri that resembles eukaryotic topoisomerase I.

DNA topoisomerase V is a novel prokaryotic enzyme related to eukaryotic topoisomerase I. The enzyme is a type I DNA topoisomerase and is recognized by polyclonal antibody against human topoisomerase I. We describe its purification from the hyperthermophilic methanogen Methanopyrus kandleri. The enzyme has high activity in crude extracts and is present in at least 1,500 copies/cell. Topoisomerase V migrates as a 110-kDa polypeptide in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and as a 142-kDa globular protein in gel filtration. It is active up to at least 100 degrees C on both positively and negatively supercoiled DNA and is not inhibited by single-stranded DNA. The enzyme works from 1 to 650 mM NaCl and up to 3.1 M potassium glutamate. It acts processively at low ionic strength and distributively at high NaCl or KCl concentration. Magnesium is not required and does not stimulate the enzymatic activity. Under DNA denaturing conditions, topoisomerase V catalyzes an unlinking reaction which results in substantial reduction in the linking number of closed circular DNA. The driving force for this process is DNA melting. Camptothecin is not nearly as good an inhibitor for topoisomerase V as it is for eukaryotic topoisomerase I. The unique occurrence of two major type I topoisomerases (reverse gyrase and topoisomerase V) in M. kandleri may shed new light on the evolution of this family of enzymes and supports the concept of a distant but significant relationship between some hyperthermophilic organisms and eukaryotes.

Base Sequence↗

DNA topoisomerase V is a relative of eukaryotic topoisomerase I from a hyperthermophilic prokaryote.

The DNA topoisomerases are ubiquitous enzymes that fulfil vital roles in the replication, transcription and recombination of DNA by carrying out DNA-strand passage reactions. Here we characterize a prokaryotic counterpart to the eukaryotic topoisomerase I in the hyperthermophilic methanogen Methanopyrus kandleri. The new enzyme, called topoisomerase V, has the following properties in common with eukaryotic topoisomerase I, which distinguish it from all other known prokaryotic topoisomerases: (1) its activity is Mg(2+)-independent; (2) it relaxes both negatively and positively supercoiled DNA; (3) it makes a covalent complex with the 3' end of the broken DNA strand; and (4) it is recognized by antibody raised against human topoisomerase I. Eukaryotic-like enzymes have been discovered in some hyperthermophilic prokaryotes, namely the eocytes and the extremely thermophilic archaebacteria, and hyperthermophilic homologues of eukaryotic DNA polymerase-alpha, transcription factor IIB and DNA ligase have all been reported. Thus our findings support the idea that some essential parts of the eukaryotic transcription-translation and replication machineries were in place before the emergence of eukaryotes, and that the closest living relatives of eukaryotes may be hyperthermophiles.

Base Sequence↗

DNA topoisomerase III from extremely thermophilic archaebacteria. ATP-independent type I topoisomerase from Desulfurococcus amylolyticus drives extensive unwinding of closed circular DNA at high temperature.

A second type I topoisomerase was purified from the extremely thermophilic archaebacterium Desulfurococcus amylolyticus. In contrast to the previously described reverse gyrase from this organism, the novel enzyme designated as Dam topoisomerase III is an ATP-independent relaxing topoisomerase. It is a monomer with Mr 108,000, as determined by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions and by size exclusion chromatography. Dam topoisomerase III, like other bacterial type I topoisomerases, absolutely requires Mg2+ for activity and is specific for single-stranded DNA. At 60-80 degrees C, it relaxes negatively but not positively supercoiled DNA and is inhibited by single-stranded M13 DNA. At 95 degrees C, the enzyme unwinds both positively and negatively supercoiled substrates and produces extensively unwound form I* and I** DNA. The peculiarities of DNA topoisomerization at high temperatures are discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

DNA linking potential generated by gyrase.

Whether or not DNA gyrase can supercoil DNA so that alternative structures will arise in it is the major question of this work. We have shown gyrase to produce in pAO3 DNA a superhelix density sufficient for cruciform formation. However, the transition does not take place because of too slow kinetics. A change of ionic conditions in favour of more intense DNA supercoiling by gyrase shifts the midpoint of the equilibrium transition to the cruciform structure toward more supercoiled topoisomers. The width of the equilibrium transition to the cruciform as a function of linking number has been revealed to be an order of magnitude larger in buffers containing magnesium and spermidine than in buffers with monovalent cations only. We ascribe this effect to the influence that the counter ions surrounding the DNA molecule have on its elasticity, the coefficient of elasticity being dependent on superhelix density sigma. Thus, the free energy of supercoiling (a) depends on the ionic conditions and (b) is not a quadratic function of sigma in the physiological range of parameters. We propose a description of DNA as a system of links that can be either closed or open; we also introduce a new concept of the DNA linking potential akin to the chemical and electric potentials. The linking potential is a suitable parameter for describing the equilibrium distribution of links in heterogeneous DNA, the coexistence of various DNA structures, the equilibrium input and output of DNA links by enzymes, and the nonequilibrium movement of links along DNA chains. Within the framework of this approach DNA gyrase is considered as the source of the DNA linking potential.

DNA Topoisomerases, Type I↗

Archaebacterial reverse gyrase cleavage-site specificity is similar to that of eubacterial DNA topoisomerases I.

ATP-dependent type I topoisomerases from extremely thermophilic archaebacteria--reverse gyrases--drive positive supercoiling of DNA. We showed that reverse gyrase from Desulfurococcus amylolyticus breaks the DNA at specific sites and covalently binds to the 5' end. In 30 out of 31 sites located in pBR322 DNA fragments, cleavage occurs at the sequence 5'---CNNN/---(N is any base). The same rule was previously shown to hold for single-stranded DNA breakage by eubacterial topoisomerases I. The relative cleavage frequencies at different sites depend on Mg2+ and temperature. We discuss the possible physiological and mechanistic role of the above specificity of the bacterial topoisomerases I.

Archaea↗

DNA substrate specificity of reverse gyrase from extremely thermophilic archaebacteria.

It has been shown earlier that eukaryotic type I DNA topoisomerases act on duplex DNA regions, while eubacterial type I topoisomerases require single-stranded regions. The present paper demonstrates that the type I topoisomerase from extremely thermophilic archaebacteria, reverse gyrase, winds DNA by binding to single-stranded DNA regions. Thus, type I topoisomerases, both relaxing one in eubacteria and reverse gyrase in extremely thermophilic archaebacteria share a substrate specificity to melted DNA regions. The important consequence of this specificity is that the cellular DNA superhelical stress actively controlled by bacterial topoisomerases is confined to a narrow range characterized by a low stability of the double helix. Hence we suppose that bacterial topoisomerase systems control duplex stability near its minimum, for which purpose they create an appropriate negative superhelicity at moderate temperatures or a positive one at extremely high temperatures, the feedback being ensured by the aforesaid specificity of type I bacterial topoisomerases.

Archaea↗

The ionic strength dependence of the cooperativity factor for DNA melting.

The melting temperature for the d(AT)24.d(AT)24 stretch, located inside the DNA helix and terminally, have been determined in a wide range of ionic strength values (0.01 - 1 M Na+). The cooperativity factor was calculated from the shifts in the melting temperature of the stretch due to its different boundary conditions. With the sodium concentration decreasing from 1 M to 0.01 M the cooperativity factor dropped by three orders of magnitude, its change being less marked at high than at low ionic strength.

DNA↗

The kinetics of DNA helix-coil subtransitions.

The kinetic analysis of individual helix-coil subtransitions were performed by comparing melting and renaturation profiles obtained at different temperature change rates. The duration of the three transition stages and its dependence on temperature and ionic strength were determined for a T7 phage DNA fragment. The obtained temperature dependence of the melting time for a stretch flanked by melted regions is in quantitative agreement with that predicted by the theory of slow processes (V.V. Anshelevich, A.V. Vologodskii, A.V. Lukashin, M.D. Frank-Kamenetskii, Biopolymers 23, 39 (1984)). The reasons are discussed for the increasing relaxation time of this stretch in the middle of its transition with decreasing ionic strength. The zipping kinetics of a melted region under essentially nonequilibrium conditions was examined for T7 fragment and pAO3 DNAs. The obtained temperature dependence of the zipping time is in quantitative agreement with calculations based on the theory of slow processes. The renaturation times of stretches flanked by helical regions proved fairly small even at a low ionic strength. These times are several orders of magnitude smaller than the renaturation times of the same stretches with one helical boundary. A formal application of the theory of slow processes failed to account for the small renaturation times of stretches that are zipped from both ends. This is probably due to the non-allowance for the changing entropy of the loop linking two helix-coil boundaries migrating towards each other. Slow processes have been revealed in the intramolecular melting of Col E1 DNA at a high ionic strength. The reason for the long relaxation time of one subtransition is the large size of the loop that separates the melting stretch from the helical part of the molecule. This result can be accounted for by the theory of slow processes.

DNA↗

The nonequilibrium character of DNA melting: effects of the heating rate on the fine structure of melting curves.

To investigate the effects of heating rate on the DNA melting profile and to test the predictions of the theory of slow relaxation processes in DNA melting (1) concerning these effects, we obtained differential melting curves for the Bsp I C1 fragment of T7 DNA (1461 bp) and the Sma I-Eco RI fragment of Col E1 DNA (1291 bp) at heating rates of 0.05 and 0.5 deg/min. At low ionic strength (0.02 M Na+) the heating rate has been shown to affect the position of the third peak in melting curve for C1 fragment. According to the melting maps (2), this peak corresponds to the unwinding of the section between the end of the molecule and the region already melted. At high ionic strength (0.2 M Na+), when the melting of this DNA is reversible (3), the position of the peaks does not depend on the heating rate. In the case of the Col E1 DNA fragment the heating rate affects, as might be expected from the melting maps (4), only the last peak, as the melting of the last section is always nonequilibrium. The results of the study are in good qualitative agreement and in satisfactory quantitative agreement with the theoretical predictions (1).

Base Composition↗