Structure-function relationships in the stereospecific and manganese-dependent 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine/tyrosine-sulfating activity of human monoamine-form phenol sulfotransferase,SULT1A3

The human monoamine-form phenol sulfotransferase (PST), SULT1A3, has a unique 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa)/tyrosine-sulfating activity that is stereospecific for their d-form enantiomers and can be stimulated dramatically by Mn(2+). This activity is not present in the simple phenol-form PST, SULT1A1, which is otherwise >93% identical to SULT1A3 in amino acid sequence. The majority of the differences between these two proteins reside in two variable regions of their sequences. Through the characterization of chimeric PSTs where these two regions were exchanged between them, it was demonstrated that variable Region II of SULT1A3 is required for the stereospecificity of its Dopa/tyrosine-sulfating activity, whereas variable Region I of SULT1A3 is required for the stimulation by Mn(2+) of this activity. Further studies using point-mutated SULT1A3s mutated at amino acid residues in these two regions and deletional mutants missing residues 84-86 and 84-90 implicate residue Glu-146 (in variable Region II of SULT1A3), as well as the presence of residues 84-90 of variable Region I, in the stereospecificity in the absence of Mn(2+). Residue Asp-86 (in variable Region I of SULT1A3), on the other hand, is critical in the Mn(2+) stimulation of the Dopa/tyrosine-sulfating activity of SULT1A3. A model is proposed, with reference to the reported x-ray crystal structure of SULT1A3, to explain how the normal role of SULT1A3 in dopamine regulation may be subverted in the presence of Mn(2+). These studies could be relevant in understanding the stereoselective action of SULT1A3 on chiral drugs.     

Manganese-dependent Dopa/tyrosine sulfation in HepG2 human hepatoma cells: novel Dopa/tyrosine sulfotransferase activities associated with the human monoamine-form phenol sulfotransferase

Human monoamine (M)-form phenol sulfotransferase (PST) was PCR-cloned and transiently expressed in COS-7 cells. The recombinant enzyme was demonstrated to display not only the previously reported sulfotransferase activity toward dopamine, but also novel manganese-dependent Dopa/tyrosine sulfotransferase activities. These results imply a new functional role of the human M-form PST in the homeostatic regulation of Dopa and tyrosine.     

Crystal structure of human sulfotransferase SULT1A3 in complex with dopamine and 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphate

The human sulfotransferase, SULT1A3, catalyzes specifically the sulfonation of monoamines such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. SULT1A3 also has a unique 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa)/tyrosine-sulfating activity that is preferentially toward their D-form enantiomers and can be stimulated dramatically by Mn2+. To further our understanding of the molecular basis for the unique substrate specificity of this enzyme, we solved the crystal structure of human SULT1A3, complexed with dopamine and 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphate, at 2.6 A resolution and carried out autodocking analysis with D-Dopa. The structure of SULT1A3 enzyme-ligand complex clearly showed that residue Glu146 can form electrostatic interaction with dopamine and may play a pivotal role in the stereoselectivity and sulfating activity. On the other hand, residue Asp86 appeared to be critical to the Mn2+-stimulation of the Dopa/tyrosine-sulfating activity of SULT1A3, in addition to a supporting role in the stereoselectivity and sulfating activity.     

Differential xenoestrogen-sulfating activities of the human cytosolic sulfotransferases: molecular cloning,expression, and purification of human SULT2B1a and SULT2B1b sulfotransferases

Environmental xenoestrogens have been implicated in human reproductive disorders and an increased incidence of breast cancer. Sulfation, a Phase II detoxification mechanism involving the cytosolic sulfotransferases (STs), may be an important mechanism in vivo for fending off these compounds. In this study, we report on the molecular cloning, expression, and purification of two human cytosolic STs, SULT2B1a and SULT2b1b. The activities of these two enzymes, as well as the other eight known human cytosolic STs previously prepared, toward representative environmental xenoestrogens were examined. Activity data showed that P-form (SULT1A1) PST displayed the highest activity toward these compounds, while SULT1C ST #2 also showed considerable activity, indicating that these enzymes may play a more important role in detoxification of environmental xenoestrogens. SULT1C ST #1, SULT2B1a ST, SULT2B1b ST and NST showed negligible or undetectable activity toward these compounds. The other four enzymes, M-form (SULT1A3) PST, SULT1B2 ST, SULT2A1 ST and SULT1E ST showed intermediate levels of activity toward some of these compounds. Kinetic studies on the sulfation of xenoestrogens by P-form (SULT1A1) PST were performed. The results are interpreted in the context of the endocrine-disrupting nature of these xenoestrogens.     

Differential xenoestrogen-sulfating activities of the human cytosolic sulfotransferases: molecular cloning,expression, and purification of human SULT2B1a and SULT2B1b sulfotransferases

Environmental xenoestrogens have been implicated in human reproductive disorders and an increased incidence of breast cancer. Sulfation, a Phase II detoxification mechanism involving the cytosolic sulfotransferases (STs), may be an important mechanism in vivo for fending off these compounds. In this study, we report on the molecular cloning, expression, and purification of two human cytosolic STs, SULT2B1a and SULT2b1b. The activities of these two enzymes, as well as the other eight known human cytosolic STs previously prepared, toward representative environmental xenoestrogens were examined. Activity data showed that P-form (SULT1A1) PST displayed the highest activity toward these compounds, while SULT1C ST #2 also showed considerable activity, indicating that these enzymes may play a more important role in detoxification of environmental xenoestrogens. SULT1C ST #1, SULT2B1a ST, SULT2B1b ST and NST showed negligible or undetectable activity toward these compounds. The other four enzymes, M-form (SULT1A3) PST, SULT1B2 ST, SULT2A1 ST and SULT1E ST showed intermediate levels of activity toward some of these compounds. Kinetic studies on the sulfation of xenoestrogens by P-form (SULT1A1) PST were performed. The results are interpreted in the context of the endocrine-disrupting nature of these xenoestrogens.     

Differential roles of human monoamine (M)-form and simple phenol (P)-form phenol sulfotransferases in drug metabolism

Cytosolic sulfotransferases (STs) are traditionally known as Phase II drug-metabolizing or detoxifying enzymes that facilitate the removal of drugs and other xenobiotic compounds. In this study, we carried out a systematic investigation on the sulfation of drug compounds by two major human phenol STs (PSTs), the monoamine (M)-form and simple phenol (P)-form PSTs. Activity data obtained showed the differential substrate specificity of the two enzymes for the thirteen drug compounds tested. Kinetic studies revealed that the M-form PST displayed stereoselectivity for the chiral drug, isoproterenol. The effects of divalent metal cations on the activity of the M-form and P-form PSTs toward representative drug compounds were quantitatively evaluated. Results obtained indicated that the drug-sulfating activities of the two human PSTs were partially or completely inhibited or stimulated by the ten divalent metal cations tested at a 5 mM concentration. The two enzymes appeared to be less sensitive to the effects of physiologically more abundant metal cations such as Mg(2+) and Ca(2+), but more sensitive to the detrimental effects of other metal cations that may enter the body as environmental contaminants.     

An isothermal titration calorimetry study of the binding of substrates and ligands to the tartrate dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida reveals half-of-the-sites reactivity

An isothermal titration calorimetric study of the binding of substrates and inhibitors to different complexes of tartrate dehydrogenase (TDH) from Pseudomonas putida was carried out. TDH catalyzes the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent oxidative decarboxylation of d-malate and has an absolute requirement for both a divalent and monovalent metal ion for activity. The ligands Mn(2+), meso-tartrate, oxalate, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) bound to all TDH complexes with a stoichiometry of 1 per enzyme dimer. The exception is NAD, which binds to E/K(+), E/K(+)/Mn(2+), and E/K(+)/Mg(2+) complexes with a stoichiometry of two per enzyme dimer. The binding studies suggest a half-of-the-sites mechanism for TDH. No significant heat changes were observed for d-malate in the presence of the E/K(+)/Mn(2+) complex, suggesting that it did not bind. In contrast, meso-tartrate does bind to E/K(+)/Mn(2+) but gives no significant heat change in the presence of E/Mn(2+), suggesting that K(+) is required for meso-tartrate binding. meso-Tartrate also binds with a large DeltaC(p) value and likely binds via a different binding mode than d-malate, which binds only in the presence of NAD. In contrast to all of the other ligands tested, the binding of Mn(2+) is entropically driven, likely the result of the entropically favored disruption of ordered water molecules coordinated to Mn(2+) in solution that are lost upon binding to the enzyme. Oxalate, a competitive inhibitor of malate, binds with the greatest affinity to E/K(+)/Mn(2+)/NADH, and its binding is associated with the uptake of a proton. Overall, with d-malate as the substrate, data are consistent with a random addition of K(+), Mn(2+), and NAD followed by the ordered addition of d-malate; there is significant synergism in the binding of NAD and K(+). Although the binding of meso-tartrate also requires enzyme-bound K(+) and Mn(2+), the binding of meso-tartrate and NAD is random.     

RNase HIII from Chlamydophila pneumoniae can efficiently cleave double-stranded DNA carrying a chimeric ribonucleotide in the presence of manganese

Two ribonuclease Hs (RNase Hs) have been found in Chlamydophila pneumoniae, CpRNase HII and CpRNase HIII. This work is the first report that CpRNase HIII can efficiently cleave DNA-rN(1) -DNA/DNA (rN(1) , monoribonucleotide) in vitro in the presence of Mn(2+) , whereas the enzymatic activity of CpRNase HII on the same substrate was inhibited by Mn(2+) and dependent on Mg(2+) . However, the ability of both CpRNase Hs to cleave other alternative substrates (RNA/DNA hybrids and Okazaki-like substrates), was insensitive to the divalent ions changes, suggesting that high concentrations of Mn(2+) specifically repressed the ability of CpRNase HII to cleave DNA-rN(1) -DNA/DNA but activated this function in CpRNase HIII. Further in vivo experiments showed that the CpRNase HII complementation of Escherichia coli rnh(-) mutations in an Mg(2+) environment was suppressed by Mn(2+) . In contrast, Mn(2+) was indispensable for CpRNase HIII to complement the same mutations. Further, the cell growth inhibition and the genomic DNA sensitivity to alkali in the bacterial strain lacking RNase HII activity could be relieved by functional CpRNase HII or HIII with its compatible ion. Therefore, CpRNase HIII can execute cleavage activity on DNA-rN(1) -DNA/DNA under a Mn(2+) -rich environment and may function as a substitute for CpRNase HII under special physiological states.     

The effects of flavonoids on human phenolsulphotransferases: potential in drug metabolism and chemoprevention

Flavonoids are frequently found in fruits and vegetables, and are currently under investigation as potential chemopreventive agents. The present study reports the inhibitory effects of six flavonoids, quercetin, genistein, daidzein, equol, (+)-catechin and flavone, on sulphation of p-nitrophenol, a model substrate for the P-form of PST (thermostable, TS) and dopamine, a model substrate for the M-form of PST (thermolabile, TL). Kinetic studies of the PST activity and the inhibitory effects of flavonoids on the P-form of PST activity (using Hanes-Wolf and Dixon plots) show low Km and Ki values. Quercetin was found to be the most potent inhibitor and flavone was the least active inhibitor among the flavonoids. Kinetic analysis showed that the inhibition was non-competitive and Ki values were determined for each flavonoid. These observations suggest the potential for clinically important pharmacological and toxicological interactions by flavonoids.     

Regulation of phenol sulfotransferase expression in cultured bovine bronchial epithelial cells by hydrocortisone

One conjugative pathway for the inactivation of endogenous and exogenous hydroxylated aromatic compounds is catalyzed by phenol (aryl) sulfotransferases (PSTs), which esterify phenolic acceptors with sulfate. The tracheobronchial epithelium is commonly exposed to phenolic drugs and pollutants, and metabolic sulfation and PST activity in this tissue have been previously demonstrated. To determine what factors may control PST expression, extracts of serum-free, growth factor-supplemented cultures of bovine bronchial epithelial cells were assayed for PST activity and PST antigen. The most significant finding was dose-dependent, apparent stimulated expression by hydrocortisone (EC₅₀ = 4 nM, maximal stimulation at 20 nM). Time-course experiments, however, revealed progressive loss of PST in the absence of corticosteroid. After decay of extant PST in steroid-free medium, hydrocortisone reinduced the expression of PST three to fivefold. Western blots using mouse anti-bovine PST revealed corresponding increases in 32 kDa PST protein levels in response to hydrocortisone. Steady state kinetic analyses indicated apparent K_m values of 1—3 μM for 2-naphthol regardless of culture conditions. These results suggest that detoxification of phenolic compounds by sulfation may be regulated by corticosteroids.     

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Enhances Tyrosine Hydroxylase Activation in Bovine Chromaffin Cells

Previous studies have shown that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) enhances secretagogue-stimulated Ca2+ uptake and catecholamine release in bovine chromaffin cells. This report describes the effect of IGF-I on the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase, EC 1.14.16.2), the major regulatory enzyme in the pathway of catecholamine biosynthesis. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity was assayed by measuring 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) accumulation in the presence of brocresine, an inhibitor of Dopa decarboxylase. Chromaffin cells cultured in serum-free medium produced approximately 40% less Dopa when stimulated by 55 mM K+ than did cells that had been cultured in the presence of serum. Incubation of cells for 3 days in serum-free medium containing 10 nM IGF-I restored high K(+)-stimulated Dopa accumulation to a level comparable to that seen in cells cultured continuously in serum-containing medium. In eight experiments, IGF-I increased high K(+)-stimulated Dopa accumulation (expressed as picomoles per minute per milligram of protein) by 96 +/- 13%. IGF-I increased the protein content of chromaffin cells by approximately 30%; consequently, its effect on tyrosine hydroxylase activity was even greater when Dopa synthesis was expressed as picomoles per minute per 10(7) cells. IGF-I also enhanced the rate of Dopa accumulation in cells stimulated by dimethylphenylpiperazinium, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, or Ba2+. The effect of IGF-I on high K(+)-stimulated tyrosine hydroxylase activity was measurable when enzyme activity was assayed in vitro, suggesting that this effect was due to a stable modification of the enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of synthetic oxomanganese complexes and the inorganic core of the O2-evolving complex in photosystem II: evaluation of the DFT/B3LYP level of theory

The capabilities and limitations of the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) hybrid density functional are investigated as applied to studies of mixed-valent multinuclear oxomanganese complexes. Benchmark calculations involve the analysis of structural, electronic and magnetic properties of di-, tri- and tetra-nuclear Mn complexes, previously characterized both chemically and spectroscopically, including the di-mu-oxo bridged dimers [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(mu-O)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(terpy)(2)](3+) (terpy=2,2':6,2'-terpyridine) and [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(mu-O)(2)(phen)(4)](3+) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), the Mn trimer [Mn(3)O(4)(bpy)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](4+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine), and the tetramer [Mn(4)O(4)L(6)](+) with L=Ph(2)PO(2)(-). Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP level is applied to analyze the hydrated Mn(3)O(4)CaMn cluster completely ligated by water, OH(-), Cl(-), carboxylate and imidazole ligands, analogous to the '3+1 Mn tetramer' of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. It is found that DFT/B3LYP predicts structural and electronic properties of oxomanganese complexes in pre-selected spin-electronic states in very good agreement with X-ray and magnetic experimental data, even when applied in conjunction with rather modest basis sets. However, it is conjectured that the energetics of low-lying spin-states is beyond the capabilities of the DFT/B3LYP level, constituting a limitation to mechanistic studies of multinuclear oxomanganese complexes where until now the performance of DFT/B3LYP has raised little concern.     

Receptor-mediated regulation of the nonselective cation channels TRPC4 and TRPC5

Mammalian transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) form a family of Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels currently consisting of seven members, TRPC1-TRPC7. These channels have been proposed to be molecular correlates for capacitative Ca(2+) entry channels. There are only a few studies on the regulation and properties of the subfamily consisting of TRPC4 and TRPC5, and there are contradictory reports concerning the possible role of intracellular Ca(2+) store depletion in channel activation. We therefore investigated the regulatory and biophysical properties of murine TRPC4 and TRPC5 (mTRPC4/5) heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Activation of G(q/11)-coupled receptors or receptor tyrosine kinases induced Mn(2+) entry in fura-2-loaded mTRPC4/5-expressing cells. Accordingly, in whole-cell recordings, stimulation of G(q/11)-coupled receptors evoked large, nonselective cation currents, an effect mimicked by infusion of guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS). However, depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores failed to activate mTRPC4/5. In inside-out patches, single channels with conductances of 42 and 66 picosiemens at -60 mV for mTRPC4 and mTRPC5, respectively, were stimulated by GTPgammaS in a membrane-confined manner. Thus, mTRPC4 and mTRPC5 form nonselective cation channels that integrate signaling pathways from G-protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases independently of store depletion. Furthermore, the biophysical properties of mTRPC4/5 are inconsistent with those of I(CRAC), the most extensively characterized store-operated current.     

Stimulation of ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in vitro by prostatic steroid–protein receptor complexes

A system has been developed which allows the stimulation in vitro of prostatic RNA polymerase by prostatic 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-protein receptor complexes prepared from the tissues of castrated rats. The reconstitution in vitro of such a system necessitates the purification of several subcellular components. Two 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes are located in the prostatic soluble supernatant fraction, separable by selective ammonium sulphate fractionation, and one complex can be isolated from the nuclear fraction. In the presence of all these complexes, stimulation of RNA polymerase in intact nuclei and nucleoli was observed. The complexes also increased the activity of the enzyme solubilized from whole nuclei. Greater stimulation of this system was noted in the presence of prostatic chromatin as template, as compared with that observed with calf thymus DNA or liver chromatin as template. The effects of the complexes on subnuclear forms of RNA polymerase, of nucleolar and extranucleolar origin, are also described. RNA polymerase solubilized from nucleoli is more susceptible to stimulation by the 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes than is the ;nucleoplasmic' enzyme. Stimulation occurs less readily in the presence of Mn(2+) and at high ionic strength than in the presence of Mg(2+) and at low ionic strength. Preliminary experiments show that prostatic nucleolar RNA polymerase transcribes prostatic chromatin poorly as compared with the nucleoplasmic enzyme. The observations reported indicate an involvement of non-histone proteins associated with DNA in the process by which stimulation of enzyme activity by the 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes is achieved. The implications of these findings in the mechanism of steroid hormone action is considered.     

A distinct endosomal Ca2+/Mn2+ pump affects root growth through the secretory process

Ca(2+) is required for protein processing, sorting, and secretion in eukaryotic cells, although the particular roles of the transporters involved in the secretory system of plants are obscure. One endomembrane-type Ca-ATPase from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), AtECA3, diverges from AtECA1, AtECA2, and AtECA4 in protein sequence; yet, AtECA3 appears similar in transport activity to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-bound AtECA1. Expression of AtECA3 in a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant defective in its endogenous Ca(2+) pumps conferred the ability to grow on Ca(2+)-depleted medium and tolerance to toxic levels of Mn(2+). A green fluorescent protein-tagged AtECA3 was functionally competent and localized to intracellular membranes of yeast, suggesting that Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) loading into internal compartment(s) enhanced yeast proliferation. In mesophyll protoplasts, AtECA3-green fluorescent protein associated with a subpopulation of endosome/prevacuolar compartments based on partial colocalization with the Ara7 marker. Interestingly, three independent eca3 T-DNA disruption mutants showed severe reduction in root growth normally stimulated by 3 mm Ca(2+), indicating that AtECA3 function cannot be replaced by an ER-associated AtECA1. Furthermore, root growth of mutants is sensitive to 50 microm Mn(2+), indicating that AtECA3 is also important for the detoxification of excess Mn(2+). Curiously, Ateca3 mutant roots produced 65% more apoplastic protein than wild-type roots, as monitored by peroxidase activity, suggesting that the secretory process was altered. Together, these results demonstrate that the role of AtECA3 is distinct from that of the more abundant ER AtECA1. AtECA3 supports Ca(2+)-stimulated root growth and the detoxification of high Mn(2+), possibly through activities mediated by post-Golgi compartments that coordinate membrane traffic and sorting of materials to the vacuole and the cell wall.     

Sulfation of flavonoids and other phenolic dietary compounds by the human cytosolic sulfotransferases

The protective effects of diet, especially soya products, tea, and many fruits, against a variety of human cancers, as suggested by epidemiological studies, has focused attention on flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and other phenolic dietary compounds as chemoprotectants. Among the mechanisms suggested for their chemoprotective action, their ability to inhibit the bioactivation of carcinogens by the human cytosolic sulfotransferases (STs) and the direct effects of their sulfoconjugates are being increasingly studied. We report here a systematic study on the sulfation of representative flavonoids, isoflavonoids, anti-oxidants, and other phenolic dietary compounds by all ten known human cytosolic STs. All ten recombinant human cytosolic STs were prepared in a pure form and tested for their sulfating activities with a variety of these compounds. P-form (SULT1A1) phenol ST (PST) showed high sulfating activity with most of these compounds. M-form (SULT1A3) PST showed high activity with the flavonoids but not with the isoflavonoids. SULT1C ST #2 showed high activity with the isoflavonoids and also sulfated most of the other compounds. Possible relevance of these results to the chemoprotective effects of these dietary compounds is discussed.     

Function and biochemical characterization of RecJ in Deinococcus radiodurans

The single-stranded DNA-specific nuclease RecJ is found in most bacteria where it is involved in the RecFOR double-stranded break (DSBs) repair pathway. DSBs repair mainly occurs via the RecFOR pathway in Deinococcus radiodurans, a well-known radiation-resistant bacterium. A recJ null mutant was constructed to investigate the role of recJ in D. radiodurans. recJ inactivation caused growth defects and sensitivity to high temperatures. However, the radiation resistance of the recJ mutant was only moderately decreased. The full-length D. radiodurans RecJ (DrRecJ) protein was expressed and purified to further characterize its biochemical properties. DrRecJ possessed a Mn(2+) concentration-dependent nuclease activity where the optimal Mn(2+) concentration was 0.1mM. DrRecJ had a similar activity profile after adding 10mM Mg(2+) to reactions with different Mn(2+) concentrations, indicating that Mn(2+) is a RecJ regulator. Escherichia coli RecJ has no activity on 5' ssDNA tails shorter than 6-nt, but DrRecJ could effectively degrade DNA with a 4-nt 5' ssDNA tail, suggesting that DrRecJ may have a wider range of DNA substrates. Moreover, SSB in D. radiodurans stimulated the DrRecJ exonuclease activity, whereas DdrB inhibited it and provided protection to ssDNA. Overall, our results indicate that recJ is a nonessential gene in D. radiodurans and that the activity of DrRecJ is regulated by Mn(2+) and SSB-DdrB.     

An adeno-associated virus (AAV) initiator protein, Rep78, catalyzes the cleavage and ligation of single-stranded AAV ori DNA

The Rep78 protein of adeno-associated virus (AAV) contains amino acid sequence motifs common to rolling-circle replication (RCR) initiator proteins. In this report, we describe RCR initiator-like activities of Rep78. We demonstrate that a maltose-binding protein (MBP)-Rep78 fusion protein can catalyze the cleavage and ligation of single-stranded DNA substrates derived from the AAV origin of replication. Rep-mediated single-stranded DNA cleavage was strictly dependent on the presence of certain divalent cations (e.g., Mn(2+) or Mg(2+)) but did not require the presence of a nucleoside triphosphate cofactor. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that binding of single-stranded DNA by MBP-Rep78 was influenced by the length of the substrate as well as the presence of potential single-stranded cis-acting sequence elements. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to examine the role of specific tyrosine residues within a conserved RCR motif (motif 3) of Rep78. Replacement of Tyr-156 with phenylalanine abolished the ability of MBP-Rep78 to mediate the cleavage and ligation of single-stranded DNA substrates but not the ability to stably bind single-stranded DNA. The cleaving-joining activity of Rep78 is consistent with the mechanism of replicative intermediate dimer resolution proposed for the autonomous parvoviruses and may have implications for targeted integration of recombinant AAV vectors.     

Increased catalytic activity and altered fidelity of human DNA polymerase iota in the presence of manganese

All DNA polymerases require a divalent cation for catalytic activity. It is generally assumed that Mg(2+) is the physiological cofactor for replicative DNA polymerases in vivo. However, recent studies suggest that certain repair polymerases, such as pol lambda, may preferentially utilize Mn(2+) in vitro. Here we report on the effects of Mn(2+) and Mg(2+) on the enzymatic properties of human DNA polymerase iota (pol iota). pol iota exhibited the greatest activity in the presence of low levels of Mn(2+) (0.05-0.25 mm). Peak activity in the presence of Mg(2+) was observed in the range of 0.1-0.5 mm and was significantly reduced at concentrations >2 mm. Steady-state kinetic analyses revealed that Mn(2+) increases the catalytic activity of pol iota by approximately 30-60,000-fold through a dramatic decrease in the K(m) value for nucleotide incorporation. Interestingly, whereas pol iota preferentially misinserts G opposite T by a factor of approximately 1.4-2.5-fold over the correct base A in the presence of 0.25 and 5 mm Mg(2+), respectively, the correct insertion of A is actually favored 2-fold over the misincorporation of G in the presence of 0.075 mm Mn(2+). Low levels of Mn(2+) also dramatically increased the ability of pol iota to traverse a variety of DNA lesions in vitro. Titration experiments revealed a strong preference of pol iota for Mn(2+) even when Mg(2+) is present in a >10-fold excess. Our observations therefore raise the intriguing possibility that the cation utilized by pol iota in vivo may actually be Mn(2+) rather than Mg(2+), as tacitly assumed.