• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.66-70
• /
• 2016

The replication protein A (RPA), is a heterotrimer with 70, 32 and 14 kDa subunits and plays a crucial role in DNA replication, recombination, and repair. The largest subunit, RPA70, binds to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and mediates interactions with many cellular and viral proteins. In this study, we performed nuclear magnetic resonance experiments on the complex of the DNA binding domain A of human RPA70 (RPA70A) with ssDNA, d(CCCCC), at various temperatures, to understand the temperature dependency of ssDNA binding affinity of RPA70A. Essential residues for ssDNA binding were conserved while less essential parts were changed with the temperature. Our results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanism of the ssDNA binding of human RPA.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.264-269
• /
• 2014

The molecular interaction between tumor suppressor p53 and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins plays an essential role in the transcription-independent apoptotic pathway of p53. In this study, we investigated the binding of p53 DNA-binding domain (p53DBD) with the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2, using GST pull-down assay and NMR spectroscopy. The GST pull-down assays and NMR experiments demonstrated the direct binding of the p53DBD with Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2. Further, NMR chemical shift perturbation data showed that Bcl-w and Mcl-1 bind to the positively charged DNA-binding surface of p53DBD. Noticeably, the refined structural models of the complexes between p53DBD and Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2 showed that the binding mode of p53DBD is highly conserved among the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. Furthermore, the chemical shift perturbations on Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2 induced by p53DBD binding occurred not only at the p53DBD-binding acidic region but also at the BH3 peptide-binding pocket, which suggests an allosteric conformational change similar to that observed in Bcl-$X_L$. Taken altogether, our results revealed a structural basis for a conserved binding mechanism between p53DBD and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, which shed light on to the molecular understanding of the transcription-independent apoptosis pathway of p53.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 1998.06a
• /
• pp.11-11
• /
• 1998

Zinc fingers of Cys$_2$His$_2$ class constitute one of the most common DNA binding motifs in eukaryotes. Unlike other DNA binding motifs, zinc finger proteins recognize very diverse DNA sites, and their sequence specificities can be systematically changed by phage display.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.135-139
• /
• 2002

Yeast cells respond to condition of amino acid starvation by synthesizing GCN4, a typical eukaryotic transcriptional activator, which regulates the expression of many amino acids biosynthetic genes. By introducing point mutations in the DNA binding domain of GCN4, mutants with normal DNA binding activity but defective in transcriptional activity were isolated to identify unknown proteins that could suppress the mutant phenotype under an amino acid depletion condition. As a result, SSB(Stress-Seventy B) subfamily proteins were identified as suppressors of mutant GCN4. SSB proteins were known as a member of yeast hsp70 family that probably aids passage of nascent chain through ribosomes. Among them, the mechanism of suppression by SSB2 on the defective GCN4 mutant strains is under investigation. Gcn4p directly interacts with Ssb2p through the basic DNA binding domain of GCN4. It suggests the possibility that physical interaction might induce the transcriptional activation of Gcn4p.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.407-412
• /
• 2010

Homeodomain (HD) is a highly conserved DNA-binding domain composed of helix-turn-helix motif. Drosophila Vnd (Ventral nervous system defective) containing HD acts as a regulator to either enhance or suppress gene expression upon binding to its target sequence. In this study, kinetic analysis of Vnd binding to DNA was performed. The result demonstrates that DNA-binding affinity of the recombinant protein containing HD and NK2-specific domain (NK2-SD) was higher than that of the full-length Vnd. To access whether phosphorylation sites within HD and NK2-SD affect the interaction of the protein with the target sequence, alanine substitutions were introduced. The result shows that S631A mutation within NK2-SD does not contribute significantly to the DNA-binding affinity. However, S571A and T600A mutations within HD showed lower affinity for DNA binding. In addition, DNA-binding analysis using embryonic nuclear protein also demonstrates that Vnd interacts with other nuclear proteins, suggesting the existence of Vnd as a complex.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.489-495
• /
• 2001

DNA damage by UV and environmental agents are the major cause of genomic instability that needs to be repaired, otherwise it give rise to cancer. Accordingly, mammalian cells operate several DNA repair pathways that are not only responsible for identifying various types of DNA damage but also involved in removing DNA damage. In mammals, nucleotide excision repair (NER) machinery is responsible for most, if not all, of the bulky adducts caused by UV and chemical agents. Although most of the proteins involved in NER pathway have been identified, only recently have we begun to gain some insight into the mechanism by which proteins recognize damaged DNA. Binding of Xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein (XPC)-hHR23B complex to damaged DNA is the initial damage recognition step in NER, which leads to the recruitment of XPA and RPA to form a damage recognition complex. Formation of damage recognition complex not only stabilizes low affinity binding of XPA to the damaged DNA, but also induces structural distortion, both of which are likely necessary for the recruitment of TFIIH and two structure-specific endonucleases for dual incision.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.291-297
• /
• 1988

Three alleles of rbsB gene, rbsB, rbsB103, and rbsB106 from the wild type, the mutant and the revertant strain, respectively, were cloned for overproduction of proteins under the control of lambda $P_{L}$ promoter. Five different species of precursor and mature ribose-binding proteins were purified to homogeneity using DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography, osmotic shock pocedure, CM-Sephadex column chromatography, and Chromatofocusing column chromaography. pI of the precursor proteins and mature proteins were determined and found to be pH 8.0 and 7.5, respectively. The purified proteins were subjected to amino acid sequencing. The results confirmed the amino acid changes deduced from the DNA sequencing.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.221-227
• /
• 2000

A 6-sulfooxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene (SMBP), the ultimate metabolite of methyl-substituted benzo[a]pyrene (BP), has been found to be carcinogenic in mice. These properties may be attributable to its strong reactivity with cellular macromolecules such as DNA. However, serum and its major constituent albumin attenuated significantly the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of 5MBP in bacterial and mammalian cell systems. This inhibitory activity of serum against 5MBP-induced cytotoxicity and mutagenicity in Chinese hamster V79 cells appears to be caused by the reduced macromolecular adducts such as DNA and proteins, but serum failed to reduce 5MBP binding to naked calf thymus DNA. A number of proteins in the serum could act as nucleophiles that are able to intercept reactive chemicals through covalent binding. Albumin present in the plasma seems to be one of major components responsible for direct binding with 5MBp, thereby reducing its reactivity to genetic materials. We here determined which fraction is preferential for 5MBP binding through fractionation of 5MBP-treated serum with ammonium sulfate. The albumin-containing fraction had slightly more affinity for 5MBP than the immunoglobulin-containing fraction. Our results indicate that the covalent modification of plasma proteins may reduce 5MBP-induced damage.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.71-75
• /
• 2016

The replication protein A (RPA) plays a crucial role in DNA replication, recombination, and repair. RPA consists of 70, 32 and 14 kDa subunits and has high single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding affinity. The largest subunit, RPA70, mainly contributes to bind to ssDNA as well as interact with many cellular and viral proteins. In this study, we performed nuclear magnetic resonance experiments on the complex of the DNA binding domain A of human RPA70 (RPA70A) with ssDNA, d(CCCCC), at various pH, to understand the effect of pH on the ssDNA binding of RPA70A. The chemical shift perturbations of binding residues were most significant at pH 6.5 and they reduced with pH increment. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanism of the ssDNA binding of human RPA.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 1987.07a
• /
• pp.149-155
• /
• 1987

Growth and development of a higher plant, or any living organism for that matter, could be defined as an orderly expression of the genome in time and space in close interaction with the environment. During differentiation and development of a tissue or organ a group of genes must be selectively turned on or turned off mainly by trans-acting regulators. In this general concept of regulation of regulation of gene expression, a DNA molecule is recognized at a specific nucleotide sequence by DNA-binding factors. Molecular biology of the regulatory factors such as hormones, and their receptors, target DNA sequences and DNA-binding proteins are well advanced. What is not clearly understood is the molecular basis of the interactions between DNA and binding factors, expecially of the usages of the dyad symmetry of the target DNA sequences and the dimeric nature of the DNA-binding proteins. A unique 3-dimensional structure of DNA has been proposed that may play an important role in the orderly expression of the gene. A foldback intercoil (FBI) DNA configuration which was originally found by electron microscopy among mtDNA molecules from pearl millet has some unique features. The FBI configuration of DNA is believed to be formed when a flexible double helix folds back and interwines in the widened major grooves resulting in a four stranded, intercoil DNA whose thickness is the same as that of double stranded DNA. More recently, the FBI structure of DNA has been also induced in vitro by a novel enzyme which was purified from pearl millet mitochondria. It has been proposed that the FBI DNA could be utillized in intramolecular recombination which leads to inversion or deletion, and in intermolecular recombination which can lead to either site-specific recombination, genetic recombination via single strand invasion, or cross strand recombination. The structure and function of DNA in 3-dimensional aspect is emphasized for better understanding orderly expression of genes during growth and development.