Physical and functional interaction between DNA ligase IIIalpha and poly(ADP-Ribose) polymerase 1 in DNA single-strand break repair

The repair of DNA single-strand breaks in mammalian cells is mediated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), DNA ligase IIIalpha, and XRCC1. Since these proteins are not found in lower eukaryotes, this DNA repair pathway plays a unique role in maintaining genome stability in more complex organisms. XRCC1 not only forms a stable complex with DNA ligase IIIalpha but also interacts with several other DNA repair factors. Here we have used affinity chromatography to identify proteins that associate with DNA ligase III. PARP-1 binds directly to an N-terminal region of DNA ligase III immediately adjacent to its zinc finger. In further studies, we have shown that DNA ligase III also binds directly to poly(ADP-ribose) and preferentially associates with poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated PARP-1 in vitro and in vivo. Our biochemical studies have revealed that the zinc finger of DNA ligase III increases DNA joining in the presence of either poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated PARP-1 or poly(ADP-ribose). This provides a mechanism for the recruitment of the DNA ligase IIIalpha-XRCC1 complex to in vivo DNA single-strand breaks and suggests that the zinc finger of DNA ligase III enables this complex and associated repair factors to locate the strand break in the presence of the negatively charged poly(ADP-ribose) polymer.     

GATA-1 bends DNA in a site-independent fashion

The DNA binding domain of GATA-1 consists of two adjacent homologous zinc fingers, of which only the C-terminal finger binds DNA independently. Solution structure studies have shown that the DNA is bent by about 15 degrees in the complex formed with the single C-terminal finger of GATA-1. The N-terminal finger stabilizes DNA binding at some sites. To determine whether it contributes to DNA bending, we have performed circular permutation DNA bending experiments with a variety of DNA-binding sites recognized by GATA-1. By using a series of full-length GATA-1, double zinc finger, and single C-terminal finger constructs, we show that GATA-1 bends DNA by about 24 degrees, irrespective of the DNA-binding site. We propose that the N- and C-terminal fingers of GATA-1 adopt different orientations when bound to different cognate DNA sites. Furthermore, we characterize circular permutation bending artifacts arising from the reduced gel mobility of the protein-DNA complexes.     

Exchangeability of mammalian DNA ligases between base excision repair pathways

In mammalian cells, DNA ligase IIIalpha and DNA ligase I participate in the short- and long-patch base excision repair pathways, respectively. Using an in vitro repair assay employing DNA ligase-depleted cell extracts and DNA substrates containing a single lesion repaired either through short-patch (regular abasic site) or long-patch (reduced abasic site) base excision repair pathways, we addressed the question whether DNA ligases are specific to each pathway or if they are exchangeable. We find that immunodepletion of DNA ligase I did not affect the short-patch repair pathway but blocked long-patch repair, suggesting that DNA ligase IIIalpha is not able to substitute DNA ligase I during long-patch repair. In contrast, immunodepletion of DNA ligase IIIalpha did not significantly affect either pathway. Moreover, repair of normal abasic sites in wild-type and X-ray cross-complementing gene 1 (XRCC1)-DNA ligase IIIalpha-immunodepleted cell extracts involved similar proportions of short- and long-patch repair events. This suggests that DNA ligase I was able to efficiently substitute the XRCC1-DNA ligase IIIalpha complex during short-patch repair.     

Specificity of protein interactions mediated by BRCT domains of the XRCC1 DNA repair protein

Protein interactions critical to DNA repair and cell cycle control systems are often coordinated by modules that belong to a superfamily of structurally conserved BRCT domains. Because the mechanisms of BRCT interactions and their significance are not well understood, we sought to define the affinity and specificity of those BRCT modules that orchestrate base excision repair and single-strand break repair. Common to these pathways is the essential XRCC1 DNA repair protein, which interacts with at least nine other proteins and DNA. Here, we characterized the interactions of four purified BRCT domains, two from XRCC1 and their two partners from DNA ligase IIIalpha and poly(ADP-ribosyl) polymerase 1. A monoclonal antibody was selected that recognizes the ligase IIIalpha BRCT domain, but not the other BRCT domains, and was used to capture the relevant ligase IIIalpha BRCT complex. To examine the assembly states of isolated BRCT domains and pairwise domain complexes, we used size-exclusion chromatography coupled with on-line light scattering. This analysis indicated that isolated BRCT domains form homo-oligomers and that the BRCT complex between the C-terminal XRCC1 domain and the ligase IIIalpha domain is a heterotetramer with 2:2 stoichiometry. Using affinity capture and surface plasmon resonance methods, we determined that specific heteromeric interactions with high nanomolar dissociation constants occur between pairs of cognate BRCT domains. A structural model for a XRCC1 x DNA ligase IIIalpha heterotetramer is proposed as a core base excision repair complex, which constitutes a scaffold for higher order complexes to which other repair proteins and DNA are brought into proximity.     

NEIL2-initiated, APE-independent repair of oxidized bases in DNA: Evidence for a repair complex in human cells

DNA glycosylases/AP lyases initiate repair of oxidized bases in the genomes of all organisms by excising these lesions and then cleaving the DNA strand at the resulting abasic (AP) sites and generate 3' phospho alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde (3' PUA) or 3' phosphate (3' P) terminus. In Escherichia coli, the AP-endonucleases (APEs) hydrolyze both 3' blocking groups (3' PUA and 3' P) to generate the 3'-OH termini needed for repair synthesis. In mammalian cells, the previously characterized DNA glycosylases, NTH1 and OGG1, produce 3' PUA, which is removed by the only AP-endonuclease, APE1. However, APE1 is barely active in removing 3' phosphate generated by the recently discovered mammalian DNA glycosylases NEIL1 and NEIL2. We showed earlier that the 3' phosphate generated by NEIL1 is efficiently removed by polynucleotide kinase (PNK) and not APE1. Here we show that the NEIL2-initiated repair of 5-hydroxyuracil (5-OHU) similarly requires PNK. We have also observed stable interaction between NEIL2 and other BER proteins DNA polymerase beta (Pol beta), DNA ligase IIIalpha (Lig IIIalpha) and XRCC1. In spite of their limited sequence homology, NEIL1 and NEIL2 interact with the same domains of Pol beta and Lig IIIalpha. Surprisingly, while the catalytically dispensable C-terminal region of NEIL1 is the common interacting domain, the essential N-terminal segment of NEIL2 is involved in analogous interaction. The BER proteins including NEIL2, PNK, Pol beta, Lig IIIalpha and XRCC1 (but not APE1) could be isolated as a complex from human cells, competent for repair of 5-OHU in plasmid DNA.     

Two DNA-binding and nick recognition modules in human DNA ligase III

Human DNA ligase III contains an N-terminal zinc finger domain that binds to nicks and gaps in DNA. This small domain has been described as a DNA nick sensor, but it is not required for DNA nick joining activity in vitro. In light of new structural information for mammalian ligases, we measured the DNA binding affinity and specificity of each domain of DNA ligase III. These studies identified two separate, independent DNA-binding modules in DNA ligase III that each bind specifically to nicked DNA over intact duplex DNA. One of these modules comprises the zinc finger domain and DNA-binding domain, which function together as a single DNA binding unit. The catalytic core of ligase III is the second DNA nick-binding module. Both binding modules are required for ligation of blunt ended DNA substrates. Although the zinc finger increases the catalytic efficiency of nick ligation, it appears to occupy the same binding site as the DNA ligase III catalytic core. We present a jackknife model for ligase III that posits conformational changes during nick sensing and ligation to extend the versatility of the enzyme.     

DNA ligase III is recruited to DNA strand breaks by a zinc finger motif homologous to that of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Identification of two functionally distinct DNA binding regions within DNA ligase III.

Mammalian DNA ligases are composed of a conserved catalytic domain flanked by unrelated sequences. At the C-terminal end of the catalytic domain, there is a 16-amino acid sequence, known as the conserved peptide, whose role in the ligation reaction is unknown. Here we show that conserved positively charged residues at the C-terminal end of this motif are required for enzyme-AMP formation. These residues probably interact with the triphosphate tail of ATP, positioning it for nucleophilic attack by the active site lysine. Amino acid residues within the sequence RFPR, which is invariant in the conserved peptide of mammalian DNA ligases, play critical roles in the subsequent nucleotidyl transfer reaction that produces the DNA-adenylate intermediate. DNA binding by the N-terminal zinc finger of DNA ligase III, which is homologous with the two zinc fingers of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, is not required for DNA ligase activity in vitro or in vivo. However, this zinc finger enables DNA ligase III to interact with and ligate nicked DNA at physiological salt concentrations. We suggest that in vivo the DNA ligase III zinc finger may displace poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase from DNA strand breaks, allowing repair to occur.     

Solution structure and backbone dynamics of the human DNA ligase IIIalpha BRCT domain.

BRCT (BRCA1 carboxyl terminus) domains are found in a number of DNA repair enzymes and cell cycle regulators and are believed to mediate important protein-protein interactions. The DNA ligase IIIalpha BRCT domain partners with the distal BRCT domain of the DNA repair protein XRCC1 (X1BRCTb) in the DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway. To elucidate the mechanisms by which these two domains can interact, we have determined the solution structure of human ligase IIIalpha BRCT (L3[86], residues 837-922). The structure of L3[86] consists of a beta2beta1beta3beta4 parallel sheet with a two-alpha-helix bundle packed against one face of the sheet. This fold is conserved in several proteins having a wide range of activities, including X1BRCTb [Zhang, X. D., et al. (1998) EMBO J. 17, 6404-6411]. L3[86] exists as a dimer in solution, but an insufficient number of NOE restraints precluded the determination of the homodimer structure. However, 13C isotope-filtered and hydrogen-deuterium exchange experiments indicate that the N-terminus, alpha1, the alpha1-beta2 loop, and the three residues following alpha2 are involved in forming the dimer interface, as similarly observed in the structure of X1BRCTb. NOE and dynamic data indicate that several residues (837-844) in the N-terminal region appear to interconvert between helix and random coil conformations. Further studies of other BRCT domains and of their complexes are needed to address how these proteins interact with one another, and to shed light on how mutations can lead to disruption of function and ultimately disease.     

The N-terminal fingers of chicken GATA-2 and GATA-3 are independent sequence-specific DNA binding domains.

The GATA family of vertebrate DNA binding regulatory proteins are expressed in diverse tissues and at different times of development. However, the DNA binding regions of these proteins possess considerable homology and recognize a rather similar range of DNA sequence motifs. DNA binding is mediated through two domains, each containing a zinc finger. Previous results have led to the conclusion that although in some cases the N-terminal finger can contribute to specificity and strength of binding, it does not bind independently, whereas the C-terminal finger is both necessary and sufficient for binding. Here we show that although this is true for the N-terminal finger of GATA-1, those of GATA-2 and GATA-3 are capable of strong independent binding with a preference for the motif GATC. Binding requires the presence of two basic regions located on either side of the N-terminal finger. The absence of one of these near the GATA-1 N-terminal finger probably accounts for its inability to bind. The combination of a single finger and two basic regions is a new variant of a motif that has been previously found in the binding domains of other finger proteins. Our results suggest that the DNA binding properties of the N-terminal finger may help distinguish GATA-2 and GATA-3 from GATA-1 and the other GATA family members in their selective regulatory roles in vivo.     

A novel interaction between DNA ligase III and DNA polymerase gamma plays an essential role in mitochondrial DNA stability

The data in the present study show that DNA polymerase gamma and DNA ligase III interact in mitochondrial protein extracts from cultured HT1080 cells. An interaction was also observed between the two recombinant proteins in vitro. Expression of catalytically inert versions of DNA ligase III that bind DNA polymerase gamma was associated with reduced mitochondrial DNA copy number and integrity. In contrast, overexpression of wild-type DNA ligase III had no effect on mitochondrial DNA copy number or integrity. Experiments revealed that wild-type DNA ligase III facilitates the interaction of DNA polymerase gamma with a nicked DNA substrate in vitro, and that the zinc finger domain of DNA ligase III is required for this activity. Mitochondrial protein extracts prepared from cells overexpressing a DNA ligase III protein that lacked the zinc finger domain had reduced base excision repair activity compared with extracts from cells overexpressing the wild-type protein. These data support the interpretation that the interaction of DNA ligase III and DNA polymerase gamma is required for proper maintenance of the mammalian mitochondrial genome.     

The zinc fingers of human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase are differentially required for the recognition of DNA breaks and nicks and the consequent enzyme activation. Other structures recognize intact DNA

The recognition of double-stranded DNA breaks and single-stranded nicks by human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and the consequent enzymic activation were examined using derivatives of the enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli. The N-terminal 162 residues encompass two zinc fingers. Deletion or mutation of the first finger results in a loss of activation by DNA with either single-stranded or double-stranded damage. Destruction of the second finger reduces activation by double-stranded DNA breaks only slightly, but eliminates activation by single-stranded DNA nicks. These data suggest that activation by single-stranded DNA nicks requires two zinc fingers, but activation by double-stranded DNA breaks requires only the finger closer to the N terminus. Variant proteins that lack both zinc fingers are enzymically inactive but still exhibit weak DNA binding, which is independent of DNA damage. Thus, other regions are also capable of binding intact DNA, but the recognition of a strand nick or break which occasions the synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose) specifically requires the zinc fingers.     

Human DNA ligase III bridges two DNA ends to promote specific intermolecular DNA end joining

Mammalian DNA ligase III (LigIII) functions in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA metabolism. In the nucleus, LigIII has functional redundancy with DNA ligase I whereas LigIII is the only mitochondrial DNA ligase and is essential for the survival of cells dependent upon oxidative respiration. The unique LigIII zinc finger (ZnF) domain is not required for catalytic activity but senses DNA strand breaks and stimulates intermolecular ligation of two DNAs by an unknown mechanism. Consistent with this activity, LigIII acts in an alternative pathway of DNA double strand break repair that buttresses canonical non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and is manifest in NHEJ-defective cancer cells, but how LigIII acts in joining intermolecular DNA ends versus nick ligation is unclear. To investigate how LigIII efficiently joins two DNAs, we developed a real-time, fluorescence-based assay of DNA bridging suitable for high-throughput screening. On a nicked duplex DNA substrate, the results reveal binding competition between the ZnF and the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding domain, one of three domains constituting the LigIII catalytic core. In contrast, these domains collaborate and are essential for formation of a DNA-bridging intermediate by adenylated LigIII that positions a pair of blunt-ended duplex DNAs for efficient and specific intermolecular ligation.     

Mdm2 binds to Nbs1 at sites of DNA damage and regulates double strand break repair

Mdm2 directly regulates the p53 tumor suppressor. However, Mdm2 also has p53-independent activities, and the pathways that mediate these functions are unresolved. Here we report the identification of a specific association of Mdm2 with Mre11, Nbs1, and Rad50, a DNA double strand break repair complex. Mdm2 bound to the Mre11-Nbs1-Rad50 complex in primary cells and in cells containing inactivated p53 or p14/p19ARF, a regulator of Mdm2. Further analysis revealed that Mdm2 directly bound to Nbs1 but not to Mre11 or Rad50. Amino acids 198-314 of Mdm2 were required for Mdm2/Nbs1 association, and neither the N terminus forkhead-associated and breast cancer C-terminal domains nor the C terminus Mre11 binding domain of Nbs1 mediated the interaction of Nbs1 with Mdm2. Mdm2 co-localized with Nbs1 to sites of DNA damage following gamma-irradiation. Notably, Mdm2 overexpression inhibited DNA double strand break repair, and this was independent of p53 and ARF, the alternative reading frame of the Ink4alocus. The delay in DNA repair imposed by Mdm2 required the Nbs1 binding domain of Mdm2, but the ubiquitin ligase domain in Mdm2 was dispensable. Therefore, Nbs1 is a novel p53-independent Mdm2 binding protein and links Mdm2 to the Mre11-Nbs1-Rad50-regulated DNA repair response.     

ATP-dependent DNA ligases

SUMMARY: By catalyzing the joining of breaks in the phosphodiester backbone of duplex DNA, DNA ligases play a vital role in the diverse processes of DNA replication, recombination and repair. Three related classes of ATP-dependent DNA ligase are readily apparent in eukaryotic cells. Enzymes of each class comprise catalytic and non-catalytic domains together with additional domains of varying function. DNA ligase I is required for the ligation of Okazaki fragments during lagging-strand DNA synthesis, as well as for several DNA-repair pathways; these functions are mediated, at least in part, by interactions between DNA ligase I and the sliding-clamp protein PCNA. DNA ligase III, which is unique to vertebrates, functions both in the nucleus and in mitochondria. Two distinct isoforms of this enzyme, differing in their carboxy-terminal sequences, are produced by alternative splicing: DNA ligase IIIalpha has a carboxy-terminal BRCT domain that interacts with the mammalian DNA-repair factor XrccI, but both alpha and beta isoforms have an amino-terminal zinc-finger motif that appears to play a role in the recognition of DNA secondary structures that resemble intermediates in DNA metabolism. DNA ligase IV is required for DNA non-homologous end joining pathways, including recombination of the V(D)J immunoglobulin gene segments in cells of the mammalian immune system. DNA ligase IV forms a tight complex with Xrcc4 through an interaction motif located between a pair of carboxy-terminal BRCT domains in the ligase. Recent structural studies have shed light on the catalytic function of DNA ligases, as well as illuminating protein-protein interactions involving DNA ligases IIIalpha and IV.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance structures of the zinc finger domain of human DNA polymerase-alpha

The carboxy terminus of the human DNA polymerase-alpha contains a zinc finger motif. Three-dimensional structures of this motif containing 38 amino acid residues, W L I C E E P T C R N R T R H L P L Q F S R T G P L C P A C M K A T L Q P E, were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The structures reveal an alpha-helix-like domain at the amino terminus, extending 13 residues from L2 through H15 with an interruption at the sixth residue. The helix region is followed by three turns (H15-L18, T23-L26 and L26-A29), all of which involve proline. The first turn appears to be type III, judging by the dihedral angles. The second and third turns appear to be atypical. A second, shorter helix is formed at the carboxy terminus extending from C30 through L35. A fourth type III turn starting at L35 was also observed in the structure. Proline serves as the third residue of all the turns. Four cysteine residues, two located at the beginning of the helix at the N-terminus and two at the carboxy end, are coordinated to Zn(II), facilitating the formation of a loop. One of the cysteines at the carboxy terminus is part of the atypical turn, while the other is the part of the short helix. These structural features are consistent with the circular dichroism (CD) measurements which indicate the presence of 45% helix, 11% beta turns and 19% non-ordered secondary structures. The zinc finger motif described here is different from those observed for C(4), C(2)H(2), and C(2)HC modules reported in the literature. In particular, polymerase-alpha structures exhibit helix-turn-helix motif while most zinc finger proteins show anti-parallel sheet and helix. Several residues capable of binding DNA, T, R, N, and H are located in the helical region. These structural features imply that the zinc finger motif is most likely involved in binding DNA prior to replication, presumably through the helical region. These results are discussed in the context of other eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA polymerases belonging to the polymerase B family.     

Structure of the Wilms tumor suppressor protein zinc finger domain bound to DNA

The zinc finger domain of the Wilms tumor suppressor protein (WT1) contains four canonical Cys(2)His(2) zinc fingers. WT1 binds preferentially to DNA sequences that are closely related to the EGR-1 consensus site. We report the structure determination by both X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy of the WT1 zinc finger domain in complex with DNA. The X-ray structure was determined for the complex with a cognate 14 base-pair oligonucleotide, and composite X-ray/NMR structures were determined for complexes with both the 14 base-pair and an extended 17 base-pair DNA. This combined approach allowed unambiguous determination of the position of the first zinc finger, which is influenced by lattice contacts in the crystal structure. The crystal structure shows the second, third and fourth zinc finger domains inserted deep into the major groove of the DNA where they make base-specific interactions. The DNA duplex is distorted in the vicinity of the first zinc finger, with a cytidine twisted and tilted out of the base stack to pack against finger 1 and the tip of finger 2. By contrast, the composite X-ray/NMR structures show that finger 1 continues to follow the major groove in the solution complexes. However, the orientation of the helix is non-canonical, and the fingertip and the N terminus of the helix project out of the major groove; as a consequence, the zinc finger side-chains that are commonly involved in base recognition make no contact with the DNA. We conclude that finger 1 helps to anchor WT1 to the DNA by amplifying the binding affinity although it does not contribute significantly to binding specificity. The structures provide molecular level insights into the potential consequences of mutations in zinc fingers 2 and 3 that are associated with Denys-Drash syndrome and nephritic syndrome. The mutations are of two types, and either destabilize the zinc finger structure or replace key base contact residues.