嗜热细菌Anaerobaculum hydrogeniforman Pif1解旋酶的异源表达与解旋反应特性

【目的】原核表达与纯化源自嗜热细菌Anaerobaculum hydrogeniforman的Pif1解旋酶,从而探究其解旋反应特性。【方法】将重组载体pET21a-AnaPif1-TEV/SUMO导入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中诱导表达,并进行Ni-NTA亲和层析、Superdex200凝胶过滤层析等一系列纯化手段;再利用快速停留监测技术系统地研究Ana.Pif1的解旋反应特性,包括解旋极性、最佳ATP浓度、最佳金属辅因子、最佳解旋温度以及解旋复制中间体DNA的底物特异性。【结果】通过异源表达与纯化,获得了无任何标签序列、分子量59 kDa的Ana.Pif1蛋白,纯度达97%,产率为9.5 mg/L。本研究首先验证Ana.Pif1具有5'-3'的解旋极性,并发现其解旋反应最佳ATP浓度为2 mmol/L,其最佳二价金属辅因子为Mg~(2+),最适反应温度为55°C。解旋复制中间体的底物特异性显示,Y-S型复制叉的解旋速率最高,为0.127s~(–1);而12 nt-bubble底物的解旋幅度最大,达到78.8%;暗示这些底物可能是Ana.Pif1的天然底物。【结论】本文首次较为系统地分析了Ana.Pif1解旋酶的解旋反应特性,为阐明此类嗜热细菌Pif1解旋酶的分子作用机制奠定了基础。     

野猪DHX36解旋酶酶学特性及保守性分析

DHX36解旋酶(DEAH-box helicase 36)在生物体内广泛存在,可作为外源核酸传感器广泛参与机体免疫反应,因其对G-四链体具有高度亲和性和解旋活性而备受关注。目前已报道了3个物种DHX36解旋酶的三维结构,但其酶学活性的保守性研究鲜见报道。本文以哺乳动物野猪(Sus scrofa)DHX36解旋酶(SsDHX36)为研究对象,通过生物化学与生物物理研究技术系统研究了其酶学性质,并对比其与低等无脊椎动物黑腹果蝇(Drosophila melanogaster)DHX36解旋酶(DmDHX36)的活性,探究DHX36在物种间的功能保守性。本研究通过原核表达系统,分离纯化得到了纯度大于95%的SsDHX36解旋酶;利用荧光偏振和快速停留技术得到SsDHX36的最佳酶学反应条件,发现SsDHX36对G4 DNA具有平行构型的亲和选择性,对富含鸟嘌呤的ssDNA具有结合和解旋的底物偏好性;结合单分子荧光共振能量转移技术对SsDHX36和DmDHX36进行活性比较,发现两者与G4 DNA结合的构型选择性和对富含鸟嘌呤DNA的底物偏好性是保守的。但两者对不同序列长度ssDNA的亲和性...     

极端嗜热古菌——芝田硫化叶菌DNA解旋酶的分离纯化和性质研究

采用Qsepharose离子交换层析、磷酸纤维素P1 1吸附层析、肝素琼脂糖吸附层析、Su perdex 2 0 0凝胶过滤和PhenylSuperose疏水层析等步骤 ,从嗜酸热芝田硫化叶菌细胞裂解液中分离纯化了一个DNA解旋酶。该解旋酶具有受DNA激活的ATP酶活性。根据SDS PAGE测定结果 ,该酶的分子质量约为 63kD。芝田硫化叶菌DNA解旋酶可以解开底物上 70bp的双链区 ,其解旋活性依赖于双链区旁的单链分叉。该解旋酶的活性依赖于Mg2 + 和ATP的水解 ,在NaCl浓度超过 2 0 0mmol L时受到抑制。该酶的最适pH为 6 7。该酶在 40℃～ 80℃之间均有活性 ,70℃时活性最高。芝田硫化叶菌DNA解旋酶是从古菌中分离得到的第一个天然DNA解旋酶。     

荧光偏振技术研究Bloom解旋酶催化核心与双链DNA的相互作用

Bloom 综合症(BLM)解旋酶是RecQ家族DNA解旋酶中的一个重要成员,参与了DNA复制、修复、转录、重组以及端粒的维持等细胞代谢过程,在维持染色体的稳定性中具有重要的作用．BLM解旋酶的突变可导致Bloom综合症,患者遗传不稳定易患多种类型癌症．本研究运用荧光偏振技术研究BLM解旋酶催化核心(BLM^642～1290)与双链DNA(dsDNA)的相互作用,分析其相关特征参数,了解BLM^642～1290解旋酶与dsDNA的结合和解链特性．结果表明：BLM^642～1290解旋酶与dsDNA的结合和解链与dsDNA 3′端的单链DNA(ssDNA)长度有关;解旋酶优先结合于dsDNA底物的ssDNA末端,且每分子解旋酶可结合9.6 nt的ssDNA;dsDNA 3′端ssDNA的长度为9.6 nt时,解旋酶的解链效率达到最大且不再随其长度而变化．另外,BLM^642～1290解旋酶也能够结合和解链钝末端dsDNA,但其结合亲和力和解链效率低于有3′端ssDNA的dsDNA．推测BLM^642～1290解旋酶在与dsDNA底物结合和解链时是单体形式,可能以尺蠖的形式解开dsDNA．这些结果可为进一步研究BLM解旋酶的功能特征提供理论基础．     

甲磺酸培氟沙星抑制大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的体外DNA结合、解链和ATPase活性

RecQ家族解旋酶是DNA解旋酶中高度保守的一个重要家族,参与DNA复制、修复、重组、转录及维持端粒稳定等细胞代谢过程,在维持染色体稳定性与完整性中起着重要作用．甲磺酸培氟沙星(pefloxacin mesylate,PFM)是一种新型氟喹诺酮类抗菌药物,对一些革兰氏阴性菌具有明显的杀菌效果,临床上已广泛使用．本研究利用荧光偏振、自由磷检测技术研究PFM对大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的DNA结合活性、解链活性、ATPase活性的影响．结果表明,低浓度PFM可促进大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶与ssDNA、dsDNA结合,达到一定量后PFM则抑制酶与DNA底物的结合,这种影响与DNA底物有关;PFM对RecQ解旋酶的DNA解链活性和ATP酶活性都具有抑制作用,但其抑制的效果有极显著差异(P<0.01)：比较PFM对两种活性抑制的Ci值(对解链活性抑制的Ci值为(1.5±0.2) μmol/L,对ATP酶活性抑制的Ci值为(0.010±0.005) μmol/L)可知,PFM对大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶ATPase活性的抑制强于其解链活性. 这些结果可为研究以DNA解旋酶为药物靶标的分子机理奠定相关理论基础．     

荧光偏振技术研究Bloom解旋酶催化核心与双链DNA的相互作用

Bloom 综合症(BLM)解旋酶是RecQ家族DNA解旋酶中的一个重要成员,参与了DNA复制、修复、转录、重组以及端粒的维持等细胞代谢过程,在维持染色体的稳定性中具有重要的作用．BLM解旋酶的突变可导致Bloom综合症,患者遗传不稳定易患多种类型癌症．本研究运用荧光偏振技术研究BLM解旋酶催化核心(BLM642-1290)与双链DNA(dsDNA)的相互作用,分析其相关特征参数,了解BLM642-1290解旋酶与dsDNA的结合和解链特性．结果表明,BLM642-1290解旋酶与dsDNA的结合和解链和dsDNA3’末端的单链DNA(ssDNA)长度有关;解旋酶优先结合于dsDNA底物的ssDNA末端,且每分子解旋酶可结合9.6 nt的ssDNA;dsDNA3’末端ssDNA的长度为9.6 nt时,解旋酶的解链效率达到最大且不再随其长度而变化．另外,BLM642-1290解旋酶也能够结合和解链钝末端dsDNA,但其结合亲和力和解链效率低于有3’末端ssDNA的dsDNA．推测BLM642-1290解旋酶在与dsDNA底物结合和解链时是单体形式,可能以尺蠖的形式解开dsDNA．这些结果可为进一步研究BLM解旋酶的功能特征提供理论基础．     

大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的生物学活性分析

RecQ家族解旋酶是DNA解旋酶中高度保守的一个重要家族,在维持染色体的稳定性中起着重要的作用.人类RecQ家族解旋酶突变会导致几种与癌症有关的疾病.本研究旨在诱导大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶体外表达,并应用生物化学和生物物理学技术研究大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的生物学活性.体外诱导表达获得纯度达90%以上并具有高活性的大肠杆菌重组RecQ解旋酶,其可溶性好;经生物学活性分析显示具有DNA结合活性、ATP依赖的DNA解链活性、DNA依赖的ATP酶活性.较之双链DNA(dsDNA),大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶更容易与单链DNA(ssDNA)结合(P0.01),但与长度不同的dsDNA的结合特性有差异(P0.01)而与ssDNA没有差异(P0.05);大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶对3种dsDNA的解链速率不同(P0.05);大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的ATP酶活性与辅助因子ssDNA长度也呈正相关(P0.01).这些研究结果将有助于阐明大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的分子作用机制,并为研究RecQ解旋酶家族其它成员的结构与功能提供帮助。     

大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的表达纯化和生物学活性研究

RecQ家族解旋酶是DNA解旋酶中高度保守的一个重要家族,在维持染色体的稳定性中起着重要的作用.人类RecQ家族解旋酶突变会导致几种与癌症有关的疾病.本研究旨在诱导大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶体外表达,并应用生物化学和生物物理学技术研究大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的生物学活性. 体外诱导表达获得纯度达90% 以上并具有高活性的大肠杆菌重组RecQ解旋酶,其可溶性好;经生物学活性分析显示具有DNA结合活性、ATP依赖的DNA解链活性、DNA依赖的ATP酶活性. 较之双链DNA（dsDNA）,大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶更容易与单链DNA(ssDNA)结合( P<0.01 ),但与长度不同的dsDNA的结合特性有差异(P<0.01)而与ssDNA没有差异(P>0.05);大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶对3种dsDNA的解链速率不同(P<0.05);大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的ATP酶活性与辅助因子ssDNA长度也呈正相关(P<0.01). 这些研究结果将有助于阐明大肠杆菌RecQ解旋酶的分子作用机制,并为研究RecQ解旋酶家族其它成员的结构与功能提供帮助.     

甘草次酸对Bloom解旋酶生物学特性的影响

甘草次酸(glycyrrhetinic acid,GA)是甘草主要活性组分,可诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡,抑制肿瘤细胞生长.然而,其对BLM解旋酶的抑制作用尚未见报道.本文注视甘草次酸对BLM解旋酶构象、二级结构和生化活性的影响.圆二色光谱和紫外光谱分析显示,GA可破坏BLM642-1290解旋酶α-螺旋结构,改变其构象,并具有2个结合位点.采用荧光偏振技术和自由磷检测证明,GA以浓度依赖的方式抑制BLM642-1290解旋酶与底物dsDNA及ssDNA的结合,抑制BLM642-1290解旋酶活性及ATP酶活性,且抑制类型为混合抑制.综上所述,本文证明GA可通过结合BLM解旋酶,改变BLM解旋酶构象,抑制BLM解旋酶与DNA的结合,从而抑制BLM解旋酶的生化活性.我们的发现将对深入认识GA的抗肿瘤作用有新的启示.     

DNA复制研究步入单分子时代

DNA复制是生命体内必不可少的基本过程之一。传统研究显示DNA复制体中前导链和后随链的合成速度总体来说是一致的,从而避免在新生链中产生明显的单链缺口。主流的观点认为这是由于负责前导链和后随链的两个DNA聚合酶分子之间存在着某种协调同步机制。然而,Kowalczykowski实验室最近采用单分子荧光显微技术实时跟踪发现,大肠杆菌DNA复制体前导链和后随链上两个DNA聚合酶分子互相独立工作,并且都不是匀速行进而是呈现断断续续、时快时慢的随机动态变化。当DNA聚合酶暂停复制时,解旋酶仍会持续解链,导致解旋酶和聚合酶短暂的分离。有意思的是,此时DNA复制体触发一种类似“死人键”(dead-man’s switch)的保险机制,使DNA解旋的速度降低80%,从而恢复解旋酶和聚合酶的偶联。基于单分子水平的实时观察,他们认为前导链和后随链DNA复制进程均遵循一个符合高斯分布的随机模型。这与传统的生化研究观察到两者的合成速度总体来说是一致的并不矛盾。Kowalczykowski实验室的研究实现了从复制开始到结束整个过程对每个单分子行为的连续观测,而传统研究反映的则是经过较长时间对多分子群体平均水平的最终结果进行测定。因此,单分子技术可以极大地弥补传统生化研究的不足。随着未来单分子技术的进步和更广泛的应用,必将把包括DNA复制在内的生物学研究带到一个新的时代。     

The yeast Pif1p DNA helicase preferentially unwinds RNA DNA substrates

Pif1p is the prototypical member of the PIF1 family of DNA helicases, a subfamily of SFI helicases conserved from yeast to humans. Baker's yeast Pif1p is involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial, ribosomal and telomeric DNA and may also have a general role in chromosomal replication by affecting Okazaki fragment maturation. Here we investigate the substrate preferences for Pif1p. The enzyme was preferentially active on RNA–DNA hybrids, as seen by faster unwinding rates on RNA–DNA hybrids compared to DNA–DNA hybrids. When using forked substrates, which have been shown previously to stimulate the enzyme, Pif1p demonstrated a preference for RNA–DNA hybrids. This preferential unwinding could not be correlated to preferential binding of Pif1p to the substrates that were the most readily unwound. Although the addition of the single-strand DNA-binding protein replication protein A (RPA) stimulated the helicase reaction on all substrates, it did not diminish the preference of Pif1p for RNA–DNA substrates. Thus, forked RNA–DNA substrates are the favored substrates for Pif1p in vitro. We discuss these findings in terms of the known biological roles of the enzyme.     

The Bacteroides sp. 3_1_23 Pif1 protein is a multifunctional helicase

ScPif1 DNA helicase is the prototypical member of a 5′-to-3′ helicase superfamily conserved from bacteria to human and plays various roles in the maintenance of genomic homeostasis. While many studies have been performed with eukaryotic Pif1 helicases, including yeast and human Pif1 proteins, the potential functions and biochemical properties of prokaryotic Pif1 helicases remain largely unknown. Here, we report the expression, purification and biochemical analysis of Pif1 helicase from Bacteroides sp. 3_1_23 (BsPif1). BsPif1 binds to a large panel of DNA substrates and, in particular, efficiently unwinds partial duplex DNAs with 5′-overhang, fork-like substrates, D-loop and flap-like substrates, suggesting that BsPif1 may act at stalled DNA replication forks and enhance Okazaki fragment maturation. Like its eukaryotic homologues, BsPif1 resolves R-loop structures and unwinds DNA–RNA hybrids. Furthermore, BsPif1 efficiently unfolds G-quadruplexes and disrupts nucleoprotein complexes. Altogether, these results highlight that prokaryotic Pif1 helicases may resolve common issues that arise during DNA transactions. Interestingly, we found that BsPif1 is different from yeast Pif1, but resembles more human Pif1 with regard to substrate specificity, helicase activity and mode of action. These findings are discussed in the context of the possible functions of prokaryotic Pif1 helicases in vivo.     

Yeast Pif1 Helicase Exhibits a One-base-pair Stepping Mechanism for Unwinding Duplex DNA

Kinetic analysis of the DNA unwinding and translocation activities of helicases is necessary for characterization of the biochemical mechanism(s) for this class of enzymes. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 helicase was characterized using presteady state kinetics to determine rates of DNA unwinding, displacement of streptavidin from biotinylated DNA, translocation on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), and ATP hydrolysis activities. Unwinding of substrates containing varying duplex lengths was fit globally to a model for stepwise unwinding and resulted in an unwinding rate of ∼75 bp/s and a kinetic step size of 1 base pair. Pif1 is capable of displacing streptavidin from biotinylated oligonucleotides with a linear increase in the rates as the length of the oligonucleotides increased. The rate of translocation on ssDNA was determined by measuring dissociation from varying lengths of ssDNA and is essentially the same as the rate of unwinding of dsDNA, making Pif1 an active helicase. The ATPase activity of Pif1 on ssDNA was determined using fluorescently labeled phosphate-binding protein to measure the rate of phosphate release. The quantity of phosphate released corresponds to a chemical efficiency of 0.84 ATP/nucleotides translocated. Hence, when all of the kinetic data are considered, Pif1 appears to move along DNA in single nucleotide or base pair steps, powered by hydrolysis of 1 molecule of ATP.     

G-quadruplexes Significantly Stimulate Pif1 Helicase-catalyzed Duplex DNA Unwinding

The evolutionarily conserved G-quadruplexes (G4s) are faithfully inherited and serve a variety of cellular functions such as telomere maintenance, gene regulation, DNA replication initiation, and epigenetic regulation. Different from the Watson-Crick base-pairing found in duplex DNA, G4s are formed via Hoogsteen base pairing and are very stable and compact DNA structures. Failure of untangling them in the cell impedes DNA-based transactions and leads to genome instability. Cells have evolved highly specific helicases to resolve G4 structures. We used a recombinant nuclear form of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 to characterize Pif1-mediated DNA unwinding with a substrate mimicking an ongoing lagging strand synthesis stalled by G4s, which resembles a replication origin and a G4-structured flap in Okazaki fragment maturation. We find that the presence of G4 may greatly stimulate the Pif1 helicase to unwind duplex DNA. Further studies reveal that this stimulation results from G4-enhanced Pif1 dimerization, which is required for duplex DNA unwinding. This finding provides new insights into the properties and functions of G4s. We discuss the observed activation phenomenon in relation to the possible regulatory role of G4s in the rapid rescue of the stalled lagging strand synthesis by helping the replicator recognize and activate the replication origin as well as by quickly removing the G4-structured flap during Okazaki fragment maturation.     

Inhibition of DNA helicase II unwinding and ATPase activities by DNA-interacting ligands. Kinetics and specificity.

Although DNA helicases play important roles in the processing of DNA, little is known about the effects of DNA-interacting ligands on these helicases. Therefore, the effects of a wide variety of DNA-binding ligands on the unwinding and ATPase reactions catalyzed by Escherichia coli DNA helicase II were examined. DNA minor groove binders and simple DNA intercalators did not inhibit helicase II. However, DNA intercalators, such as mitoxantrone and nogalamycin, which position functionalities in the major groove upon binding duplex DNA, were potent inhibitors of helicase II. To determine the mechanism by which mitoxantrone inhibited helicase II, the unwinding and DNA-dependent ATPase activities of helicase II were measured using a spectrum of double- and single-stranded DNA substrates. Using either a 71-base pair (bp) M13mp7 partially duplexed DNA substrate or a 245-bp bluntended, fully duplexed DNA substrate, the apparent Ki value for inhibition by mitoxantrone of both the unwinding and ATPase reactions was approximately 1 microM for both substrates, suggesting that the mechanism of inhibition of helicase II by mitoxantrone is the same for both substrates and requires the presence of double-stranded structure. To strengthen this conclusion, the ability of mitoxantrone to inhibit the DNA-dependent ATPase activity of helicase II was determined using two single-stranded substrates, poly(dT) and the 245-bp substrate after heat denaturation. Using either substrate, mitoxantrone inhibited the ATPase activity of helicase II far less effectively. Thus, these results indicate that the intercalation of mitoxantrone into double-stranded DNA, with accompanying placement of functionalities in the major groove, generates a complex that impedes helicase II, resulting in both inhibition of ATP hydrolysis and unwinding activity. Furthermore, we report here that DNA-binding ligands inhibit the unwinding activity of helicases I and IV and Rep protein from E. coli, demonstrating that the inhibition observed for helicase II is not unique to this enzyme.     

Choosing between DNA and RNA: the polymer specificity of RNA helicase NPH-II

NPH-II is a prototypical member of the DExH/D subgroup of superfamily II helicases. It exhibits robust RNA helicase activity, and a detailed kinetic framework for unwinding has been established. However, like most SF2 helicases, there is little known about its mode of substrate recognition and its ability to differentiate between RNA and DNA substrates. Here, we employ a series of chimeric RNA–DNA substrates to explore the molecular determinants for NPH-II specificity on RNA and to determine if there are conditions under which DNA is a substrate. We show that efficient RNA helicase activity depends exclusively on ribose moieties in the loading strand and in a specific section of the 3′-overhang. However, we also document the presence of trace activity on DNA polymers, showing that DNA can be unwound under extremely permissive conditions that favor electrostatic binding. Thus, while polymer-specific SF2 helicases control substrate recognition through specific interactions with the loading strand, alternative specificities can arise under appropriate reaction conditions.     

Crystal structures of the BsPif1 helicase reveal that a major movement of the 2B SH3 domain is required for DNA unwinding

Pif1 helicases are ubiquitous members of the SF1B family and are essential for maintaining genome stability. It was speculated that Pif1-specific motifs may fold in specific structures, conferring distinct activities upon it. Here, we report the crystal structures of the Pif1 helicase from Bacteroides spp with and without adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analog/ssDNA. BsPif1 shares structural similarities with RecD2 and Dda helicases but has specific features in the 1B and 2B domains. The highly conserved Pif1 family specific sequence motif interacts with and constraints a putative pin-loop in domain 1B in a precise conformation. More importantly, we found that the 2B domain which contains a specific extended hairpin undergoes a significant rotation and/or movement upon ATP and DNA binding, which is absolutely required for DNA unwinding. We therefore propose a mechanism for DNA unwinding in which the 2B domain plays a predominant role. The fact that the conformational change regulates Pif1 activity may provide insight into the puzzling observation that Pif1 becomes highly processive during break-induced replication in association with Polδ, while the isolated Pif1 has low processivity.     

Multiple Escherichia coli RecQ Helicase Monomers Cooperate to Unwind Long DNA Substrates: A FLUORESCENCE CROSS-CORRELATION SPECTROSCOPY STUDY*

The RecQ family helicases catalyze the DNA unwinding reaction in an ATP hydrolysis-dependent manner. We investigated the mechanism of DNA unwinding by the Escherichia coli RecQ helicase using a new sensitive helicase assay based on fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) with two-photon excitation. The FCCS-based assay can be used to measure the unwinding activity under both single and multiple turnover conditions with no limitation related to the size of the DNA strands constituting the DNA substrate. We found that the monomeric helicase was sufficient to perform the unwinding of short DNA substrates. However, a significant increase in the activity was observed using longer DNA substrates, under single turnover conditions, originating from the simultaneous binding of multiple helicase monomers to the same DNA molecule. This functional cooperativity was strongly dependent on several factors, including DNA substrate length, the number and size of single-stranded 3′-tails, and the temperature. Regarding the latter parameter, a strong cooperativity was observed at 37 °C, whereas only modest or no cooperativity was observed at 25 °C regardless of the nature of the DNA substrate. Consistently, the functional cooperativity was found to be tightly associated with a cooperative DNA binding mode. We also showed that the cooperative binding of helicase to the DNA substrate indirectly accounts for the sigmoidal dependence of unwinding activity on ATP concentration, which also occurs only at 37 °C but not at 25 °C. Finally, we further examined the influences of spontaneous DNA rehybridization (after helicase translocation) and the single-stranded DNA binding property of helicase on the unwinding activity as detected in the FCCS assay.     

Two steps forward,one step back: Determining XPD helicase mechanism by single-molecule fluorescence and high-resolution optical tweezers

XPD-like helicases constitute a prominent DNA helicase family critical for many aspects of genome maintenance. These enzymes share a unique structural feature, an auxiliary domain stabilized by an iron-sulphur (FeS) cluster, and a 5′–3′ polarity of DNA translocation and duplex unwinding. Biochemical analyses alongside two single-molecule approaches, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and high-resolution optical tweezers, have shown how the unique structural features of XPD helicase and its specific patterns of substrate interactions tune the helicase for its specific cellular function and shape its molecular mechanism. The FeS domain forms a duplex separation wedge and contributes to an extended DNA binding site. Interactions within this site position the helicase in an orientation to unwind the duplex, control the helicase rate, and verify the integrity of the translocating strand. Consistent with its cellular role, processivity of XPD is limited and is defined by an idiosyncratic stepping kinetics. DNA duplex separation occurs in single base pair steps punctuated by frequent backward steps and conformational rearrangements of the protein–DNA complex. As such, the helicase in isolation mainly stabilizes spontaneous base pair opening and exhibits a limited ability to unwind stable DNA duplexes. The presence of a cognate ssDNA binding protein converts XPD into a vigorous helicase by destabilizing the upstream dsDNA as well as by trapping the unwound strands. Remarkably, the two proteins can co-exist on the same DNA strand without competing for binding. The current model of the XPD unwinding mechanism will be discussed along with possible modifications to this mechanism by the helicase interacting partners and unique features of such bio-medically important XPD-like helicases as FANCJ (BACH1), RTEL1 and CHLR1 (DDX11).