Cloning, nucleotide sequence, and engineered expression of Thermus thermophilus DNA ligase, a homolog of Escherichia coli DNA ligase.

We have cloned and sequenced the gene for DNA ligase from Thermus thermophilus. A comparison of this sequence and those of other ligases reveals significant homology only with that of Escherichia coli. The overall amino acid composition of the thermophilic ligase and the pattern of amino acid substitutions between the two proteins are consistent with compositional biases in other thermophilic enzymes. We have engineered the expression of the T. thermophilus gene in Escherichia coli, and we show that E. coli proteins may be substantially removed from the thermostable ligase by a simple heat precipitation step.     

Cloning and expression of a DNA ligase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Staphylothermus marinus and properties of the enzyme

The gene encoding Staphylothermus marinus DNA ligase (Sma DNA ligase) was cloned and sequenced. The gene contains an open reading frame consisting of 1836bp, which encodes for 611 amino acid residues. Upon alignment of the entire amino acid sequence, Sma DNA ligase showed a high degree of sequence homology with the hyperthemophilic archaeal DNA ligases, 67% identity with Aeropyrum pernix K1, and 40% identity with both Pyrococcus abyssi and Thermococcus kodakarensis. An extremely high sequence identity was observed in the six conserved motifs indicative of DNA ligase. The Sma DNA ligase gene was expressed under the control of the T7lac promoter on the pET-22b(+) in Escherichia coli BL21-CodonPlus(DE3)-RIL. The expressed enzyme was then purified by heat treatment followed by ion exchange and metal affinity column chromatography. The enzyme was activated by both Mg(2+) and Mn(2+), and its activity was inhibited by Ca(2+) and Zn(2+). Sma DNA ligase can utilize both ATP and ADP as cofactors. The half-life of the enzyme at 100 degrees C was determined to be approximately 2.8h. The enzyme catalyzed cohesive-end intramolecular and intermolecular joining and blunt-end intermolecular joining in the presence of tricine-NaOH buffer and Mn(2+), using either ATP or ADP.     

Characterization of an ATP-dependent DNA ligase from the acidophilic archaeon “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ferroplasma acidarmanus</Emphasis>” Fer1

Analysis of the genome of "Ferroplasma acidarmanus" Fer1, an archaeon that is an extreme acidophile, identified an open reading frame encoding a putative ATP-dependent DNA ligase, which we termed FaLig. The deduced amino acid sequence of FaLig contains 595 amino acids, with a predicted molecular mass of 67.8 kDa. "F. acidarmanus" Fer1 is classified as a Euryarchaeote, but phylogenetic analysis using amino acid sequences showed that FaLig is more similar to DNA ligases from Crenarchaeota, suggesting that lateral transfer of these genes has occurred among archaea. The gene sequence encoding FaLig was cloned into a bacterial expression vector harbouring an upstream His-tag to aid purification. Conditions for expression and purification from Escherichia coli were identified and recombinant FaLig was confirmed to be an ATP-dependent DNA ligase. Optimal conditions for nick-joining by the protein were pH 6-7, 0.5 mM ATP, in the presence of either Mg(2+) or Mn(2+). Using a range of nicked, double-stranded nucleic acids, ligation was detected with the same substrates as previously determined for other DNA ligases. Although FaLig is the DNA ligase from one of the most extreme acidophilic organism yet studied, this characterization suggests that its biochemical mechanism is analogous to that of enzymes from other cellular systems.     

Fingerprinting of near-homogeneous DNA ligase I and II from human cells. Similarity of their AMP-binding domains

DNA ligases play obligatory roles during replication, repair, and recombination. Multiple forms of DNA ligase have been reported in mammalian cells including DNA ligase I, the high molecular mass species which functions during replication, and DNA ligase II, the low molecular mass species which is associated with repair. In addition, alterations in DNA ligase activities have been reported in acute lymphocytic leukemia cells, Bloom's syndrome cells, and cells undergoing differentiation and development. To better distinguish the biochemical and molecular properties of the various DNA ligases from human cells, we have developed a method of purifying multiple species of DNA ligase from HeLa cells by chromatography through DEAE-Bio-Gel, CM-Bio-Gel, hydroxylapatite, Sephacryl S-300, Mono P, and DNA-cellulose. DNA-cellulose chromatography of the partially purified enzymes resolved multiple species of DNA ligase after labeling the enzyme with [alpha-32P]ATP to form the ligase-[32P]AMP adduct. The early eluting enzyme activity (0.25 M NaCl) contained a major 67-kDa-labeled protein, while the late eluting activity (0.48 M NaCl) contained two major labeled proteins of 90 and 78 kDa. Neutralization experiments with antiligase I antibodies indicated that the early and late eluting activity peaks were DNA ligase II and I, respectively. The three major ligase-[32P]AMP polypeptides (90, 78, and 67 kDa) were subsequently purified to near homogeneity by elution from preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. All three polypeptides retained DNA ligase activities after gel elution and renaturation. To further reveal the relationship between these enzymes, partial digestion by V8-protease was performed. All three purified polypeptides gave rise to a common 22-kDa-labeled fragment for their AMP-binding domains, indicating that the catalytic sites of ligase I and II are quite similar, if not identical. Similar findings were obtained from the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of their AMP-binding domains in the trypsin-digested protein fragments. The results also suggested that these isozymes have been derived from the same primordial DNA sequence or from the same precursor protein. The purification scheme and the data obtained will be instrumental for the further elucidation of the biological roles of various DNA ligases from human cells.     

DNA and RNA ligases: structural variations and shared mechanisms

DNA and RNA ligases join 3' OH and 5' PO4 ends in polynucleotide substrates using a three-step reaction mechanism that involves covalent modification of both the ligase enzyme and the polynucleotide substrate with AMP. In the past three years, several polynucleotide ligases have been crystallized in complex with nucleic acid, providing the introductory views of ligase enzymes engaging their substrates. Crystal structures for two ATP-dependent DNA ligases, an NAD+-dependent DNA ligase, and an ATP-dependent RNA ligase demonstrate how ligases utilize the AMP group and their multi-domain architectures to manipulate nucleic acid structure and catalyze the end-joining reaction. Together with unliganded crystal structures of DNA and RNA ligases, a more comprehensive and dynamic understanding of the multi-step ligation reaction mechanism has emerged.     

DNA ligases in the repair and replication of DNA

DNA ligases are critical enzymes of DNA metabolism. The reaction they catalyse (the joining of nicked DNA) is required in DNA replication and in DNA repair pathways that require the re-synthesis of DNA.Most organisms express DNA ligases powered by ATP, but eubacteria appear to be unique in having ligases driven by NAD(+). Interestingly, despite protein sequence and biochemical differences between the two classes of ligase, the structure of the adenylation domain is remarkably similar. Higher organisms express a variety of different ligases, which appear to be targetted to specific functions. DNA ligase I is required for Okazaki fragment joining and some repair pathways; DNA ligase II appears to be a degradation product of ligase III; DNA ligase III has several isoforms, which are involved in repair and recombination and DNA ligase IV is necessary for V(D)J recombination and non-homologous end-joining. Sequence and structural analysis of DNA ligases has shown that these enzymes are built around a common catalytic core, which is likely to be similar in three-dimensional structure to that of T7-bacteriophage ligase. The differences between the various ligases are likely to be mediated by regions outside of this common core, the structures of which are not known. Therefore, the determination of these structures, along with the structures of ligases bound to substrate DNAs and partner proteins ought to be seen as a priority.     

Mammalian DNA ligases

DNA joining enzymes play an essential role in the maintenance of genomic integrity and stability. Three mammalian genes encoding DNA ligases, LIG1, LIG3 and LIG4, have been identified. Since DNA ligase II appears to be derived from DNA ligase III by a proteolytic mechanism, the three LIG genes can account for the four biochemically distinct DNA ligase activities, DNA ligases I, II, III and IV, that have been purified from mammalian cell extracts. It is probable that the specific cellular roles of these enzymes are determined by the proteins with which they interact. The specific involvement of DNA ligase I in DNA replication is mediated by the non-catalytic amino-terminal domain of this enzyme. Furthermore, DNA ligase I participates in DNA base excision repair as a component of a multiprotein complex. Two forms of DNA ligase III are produced by an alternative splicing mechanism. The ubiqitously expressed DNA ligase III-α forms a complex with the DNA single-strand break repair protein XRCC1. In contrast, DNA ligase III-β, which does not interact with XRCC1, is only expressed in male meiotic germ cells, suggesting a role for this isoform in meiotic recombination. At present, there is very little information about the cellular functions of DNA ligase IV.     

DNA ligases from rat liver. Purification and partial characterization of two molecular forms

The differential ability of mammalian DNA ligases to use oligo(dT).poly(rA) as a substrate has been used to detect, and thereby extensively purify, two immunologically distinct forms of DNA ligase from rat liver. The activity of DNA ligase I, which is unable to use this template, is uniquely increased during liver regeneration, while that of DNA ligase II remains at a low level. Both enzymes require ATP and Mg2+ for activity and form an adenylylated intermediate which is stable and reactive. After SDS-PAGE, such radiolabeled complexes correspond to polypeptides of 130,000 and 80,000 Da for DNA ligase I and to 100,000 Da for DNA ligase II. That these labeled polypeptides do indeed correspond to active polypeptides of two different forms of DNA ligase is shown by the removal of the radiolabeled AMP, only when the intermediate is incubated with an appropriate substrate. In contrast to other eukaryotic DNA ligases, rat liver DNA ligase II has a lower Km for ATP (1.2 X 10(-5) M) than DNA ligase I (6 X 10(-5) M). Also, DNA ligase II can use ATP alpha S as a cofactor in the ligation reaction much more efficiently than DNA ligase I, further discriminating the ATP binding sites of these enzymes. Finally, antibodies raised against the 130,000-Da polypeptide of DNA ligase I specifically recognize this species in an immunoblot and inhibit only the activity of DNA ligase I.     

Cloning, molecular characterization and expression of a DNA-ligase from a new bacteriophage: Phax1

DNA ligases join 3′ hydroxyl and 5′ phosphate ends in double stranded DNA and are necessary for maintaining the integrity of genome. The gene encoding a new Escherichia phage (Phax1) DNA ligase was cloned and sequenced. The gene contains an open reading frame with 1,428 base pairs, encoding 475 amino acid residues. Alignment of the entire amino acid sequence showed that Phax1 DNA ligase has a high degree of sequence homology with ligases from Escherichia (vB_EcoM_CBA120), Salmonella (PhiSH19 and SFP10), Shigella (phiSboM-AG3), and Deftia (phiW-14) phages. The Phax1 DNA ligase gene was expressed under the control of the T7lac promoter on the pET-16b (+) in Escherichia coli Rossetta gami. The enzyme was then homogeneously purified by a metal affinity column. Enzymatic activity of the recombinant DNA ligase was assayed by an in-house PCR-based method.     

An alternative splicing event which occurs in mouse pachytene spermatocytes generates a form of DNA ligase III with distinct biochemical properties that may function in meiotic recombination.

Three mammalian genes encoding DNA ligases have been identified. However, the role of each of these enzymes in mammalian DNA metabolism has not been established. In this study, we show that two forms of mammalian DNA ligase III, alpha and beta, are produced by a conserved tissue-specific alternative splicing mechanism involving exons encoding the C termini of the polypeptides. DNA ligase III-alpha cDNA, which encodes a 103-kDa polypeptide, is expressed in all tissues and cells, whereas DNA ligase III-beta cDNA, which encodes a 96-kDa polypeptide, is expressed only in the testis. During male germ cell differentiation, elevated expression of DNA ligase III-beta mRNA is restricted, beginning only in the latter stages of meiotic prophase and ending in the round spermatid stage. In 96-kDa DNA ligase III-beta, the C-terminal 77 amino acids of DNA ligase III-alpha are replaced by a different 17- to 18-amino acid sequence. As reported previously, the 103-kDa DNA ligase III-alpha interacts with the DNA strand break repair protein encoded by the human XRCC1 gene. In contrast, the 96-kDa DNA ligase III-beta does not interact with XRCC1, indicating that DNA ligase III-beta may play a role in cellular functions distinct from the DNA repair pathways involving the DNA ligase III-alpha x XRCC1 complex. The distinct biochemical properties of DNA ligase III-beta, in combination with the tissue- and cell-type-specific expression of DNA ligase III-beta mRNA, suggest that this form of DNA ligase III is specifically involved in the completion of homologous recombination events that occur during meiotic prophase.     

Influence of polyethylene glycol on the ligation reaction with calf thymus DNA ligases I and II

High concentrations of the nonspecific macromolecule polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) enabled DNA ligases I and II from calf thymus to catalyze intermolecular blunt-end ligation of duplex DNA. Intermolecular cohesive-end ligation with these enzymes was markedly stimulated in the presence of 10-16% (w/v) PEG 6000. The effect of PEG 6000 (4-16%) on the sealing of single-stranded breaks in duplex DNA with DNA ligases I and II was not appreciably stimulatory but rather inhibitory. PEG 6000 (15%) enhanced more twofold the rate of DNA ligase II-AMP complex formation, but moderately suppressed the rate of formation of DNA ligase 1-AMP complex. Polyamines and KCl inhibited blunt-end and cohesive-end ligations with DNA ligases I and II in the presence of PEG 6000.     

Structure of the adenylation domain of an NAD+-dependent DNA ligase.

BACKGROUND: DNA ligases catalyse phosphodiester bond formation between adjacent bases in nicked DNA, thereby sealing the nick. A key step in the catalytic mechanism is the formation of an adenylated DNA intermediate. The adenyl group is derived from either ATP (in eucaryotes and archaea) or NAD+4 (in bacteria). This difference in cofactor specificity suggests that DNA ligase may be a useful antibiotic target. RESULTS: The crystal structure of the adenylation domain of the NAD+-dependent DNA ligase from Bacillus stearothermophilus has been determined at 2.8 A resolution. Despite a complete lack of detectable sequence similarity, the fold of the central core of this domain shares homology with the equivalent region of ATP-dependent DNA ligases, providing strong evidence for the location of the NAD+-binding site. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of the structure of the NAD+4-dependent DNA ligase with that of ATP-dependent ligases and mRNA-capping enzymes demonstrates the manifold utilisation of a conserved nucleotidyltransferase domain within this family of enzymes. Whilst this conserved core domain retains a common mode of nucleotide binding and activation, it is the additional domains at the N terminus and/or the C terminus that provide the alternative specificities and functionalities in the different members of this enzyme superfamily.     

Two distinct DNA ligase activities in mitotic extracts of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Four biochemically distinct DNA ligases have been identified in mammalian cells. One of these enzymes, DNA ligase I, is functionally homologous to the DNA ligase encoded by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC9 gene. Cdc9 DNA ligase has been assumed to be the only species of DNA ligase in this organism. In the present study we have identified a second DNA ligase activity in mitotic extracts of S. cerevisiae with chromatographic properties different from Cdc9 DNA ligase, which is the major DNA joining activity. This minor DNA joining activity, which contributes 5-10% of the total cellular DNA joining activity, forms a 90 kDa enzyme-adenylate intermediate which, unlike the Cdc9 enzyme-adenylate intermediate, reacts with an oligo (pdT)/poly (rA) substrate. The levels of the minor DNA joining activity are not altered by mutation or by overexpression of the CDC9 gene. Furthermore, the 90 kDa polypeptide is not recognized by a Cdc9 antiserum. Since this minor species does not appear to be a modified form of Cdc9 DNA ligase, it has been designated as S. cerevisiae DNA ligase II. Based on the similarities in polynucleotide substrate specificity, this enzyme may be the functional homolog of mammalian DNA ligase III or IV.     

Mammalian DNA ligases. Catalytic domain and size of DNA ligase I.

DNA ligase I is the major DNA ligase activity in proliferating mammalian cells. The protein has been purified to apparent homogeneity from calf thymus. It has a monomeric structure and a blocked N-terminal residue. DNA ligase I is a 125-kDa polypeptide as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis and by gel chromatography under denaturing conditions, whereas hydrodynamic measurements indicate that the enzyme is an asymmetric 98-kDa protein. Immunoblotting with rabbit polyclonal antibodies to the enzyme revealed a single polypeptide of 125 kDa in freshly prepared crude cell extracts of calf thymus. Limited digestion of the purified DNA ligase I with several reagent proteolytic enzymes generated a relatively protease-resistant 85-kDa fragment. This domain retained full catalytic activity. Similar results were obtained with partially purified human DNA ligase I. The active large fragment represents the C-terminal part of the intact protein, and contains an epitope conserved between mammalian DNA ligase I and yeast and vaccinia virus DNA ligases. The function of the N-terminal region of DNA ligase I is unknown.     

Sequence of the vanC gene of Enterococcus gallinarum BM4174 encoding a D-alanine:D-alanine ligase-related protein necessary for vancomycin resistance.

The amplification product obtained with DNA from vancomycin-resistant (VmR) Enterococcus gallinarum BM4174 and a pair of degenerate oligodeoxyribonucleotides that correspond to conserved amino acid (aa) motifs in Escherichia coli D-alanine (D-Ala):D-Ala ligases and in En. faecium VmR protein (VanA) was used as a probe to clone the vanC gene of that strain. The vanC product, with a calculated Mr of 37,504, exhibits 29 to 38% aa identity with VanA and E. coli ligases. Insertional inactivation of vanC led to Vm sensitivity of BM4174 suggesting that the gene may encode a D-Ala:D-Ala ligase of altered specificity.     

A DNA ligase from the psychrophile Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis gives insights into the adaptation of proteins to low temperatures.

The cloning, overexpression and characterization of a cold-adapted DNA ligase from the Antarctic sea water bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis are described. Protein sequence analysis revealed that the cold-adapted Ph DNA ligase shows a significant level of sequence similarity to other NAD+-dependent DNA ligases and contains several previously described sequence motifs. Also, a decreased level of arginine and proline residues in Ph DNA ligase could be involved in the cold-adaptation strategy. Moreover, 3D modelling of the N-terminal domain of Ph DNA ligase clearly indicates that this domain is destabilized compared with its thermophilic homologue. The recombinant Ph DNA ligase was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Mass spectroscopy experiments indicated that the purified enzyme is mainly in an adenylated form with a molecular mass of 74 593 Da. Ph DNA ligase shows similar overall catalytic properties to other NAD+-dependent DNA ligases but is a cold-adapted enzyme as its catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) at low and moderate temperatures is higher than that of its mesophilic counterpart E. coli DNA ligase. A kinetic comparison of three enzymes adapted to different temperatures (P. haloplanktis, E. coli and Thermus scotoductus DNA ligases) indicated that an increased kcat is the most important adaptive parameter for enzymatic activity at low temperatures, whereas a decreased Km for the nicked DNA substrate seems to allow T. scotoductus DNA ligase to work efficiently at high temperatures. Besides being useful for investigation of the adaptation of enzymes to extreme temperatures, P. haloplanktis DNA ligase, which is very efficient at low temperatures, offers a novel tool for biotechnology.     

Rat liver DNA ligases. Catalytic properties of a novel form of DNA ligase.

A novel form of rat liver DNA ligase (molecular mass 100 kDa) can be differentiated from DNA ligase I by several biochemical parameters. It is a more heat-labile enzyme and unable to join blunt-ended DNA, even in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) concentrations which stimulate such joining by DNA ligase I and T4 DNA ligase. It also lacks the AMP-dependent nicking/closing reaction, which is a property of all other DNA ligases tested so far, including DNA ligase I from rat liver. Both rat liver DNA ligases were inhibited by deoxyadenosinetriphosphate, however this inhibition was competitive with respect to ATP, for DNA ligase I (Ki 22 microM) and non-competitive for the 100-kDa DNA ligase (Ki 170 microM). These results support the idea that, when compared with other DNA ligases, the novel form of DNA ligase has a unique AMP-binding site, may have an absolute requirement for single-strand breaks and, furthermore, may have an altered reaction mechanism to that which is conserved from bacteriophage to mammalian DNA ligase I.