Crystal structure of the Bloom's syndrome helicase indicates a role for the HRDC domain in conformational changes

Joseph A Newman, Pavel Savitsky, Charles K Allerston, Anna H Bizard, Özgün Özer, Kata Sarlós, Ying Liu, Els Pardon, Jan Steyaert, Ian D Hickson, Opher Gileadi

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Bloom's syndrome helicase (BLM) is a member of the RecQ family of DNA helicases, which play key roles in the maintenance of genome integrity in all organism groups. We describe crystal structures of the BLM helicase domain in complex with DNA and with an antibody fragment, as well as SAXS and domain association studies in solution. We show an unexpected nucleotide-dependent interaction of the core helicase domain with the conserved, poorly characterized HRDC domain. The BLM-DNA complex shows an unusual base-flipping mechanism with unique positioning of the DNA duplex relative to the helicase core domains. Comparison with other crystal structures of RecQ helicases permits the definition of structural transitions underlying ATP-driven helicase action, and the identification of a nucleotide-regulated tunnel that may play a role in interactions with complex DNA substrates.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNucleic Acids Research
Volume43
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)5221-35
Number of pages15
ISSN0305-1048
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Apr 2015

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