Fate of Transforming Deoxyribonucleate in Bacillus subtilis

The majority of donor deoxyribonucleate (DNA) at early stages after uptake was found in a complex with a cell component which changes its buoyant behavior on equilibrium density gradients. Analysis of the recipient cell lysates, after treatment to dissociate the complex, showed about two-thirds of the donor molecules in denatured form and the rest associated with recipient DNA. Incubation of cells after DNA uptake leads to the disappearance of denatured donor DNA and to the increase of donor label associated with recipient DNA. Some characteristics of a component from intact cells or spheroplasts with affinity for denatured Bacillus subtilis DNA are described.     

An unstable donor-recipient DNA complex in transformation of Bacillus subtilis.

Summary In re-extracted DNA obtained shortly after uptake of transforming DNA by Bacillus subtilis, increased amounts of donor DNA radioactivity banding at the position of donor-recipient DNA complex (DRC) are observed in CsCl gradients, if the cells are irradiated with high doses of UV prior to reextraction of the DNA. Qualitatively, the same phenomenon is observed if lysates of transforming cells are irradiated. UV-irradiation of lysates of competent cells to which single-stranded DNA is added after lysis, does not result in linkage of this DNA to the chromosomal DNA. Two observations argue in favour of the formation of a specific labile complex between donor and resident DNA during transformation. Firstly, heterologous donor DNA from Escherichia coli, although being processed to single-stranded DNA in competent B. subtilis, does not seem to be linked to the recipient chromosome upon UV-irradiation, and secondly, the labile complex of donor and recipient DNA can be stabilized by means of treatment of the lysates of transforming cells with 4, 5¹, 8-trimethylpsoralen in conjuction with long-wave ultra violet light irradiation. This indicates that base-pairing is involved in the formation of the complex. On the basis of these results we assume that the unstable complex of donor and recipient DNA is an early intermediate in genetic recombination during transformation.     

Production of antibodies directed against Escherichia coli helicase III and the molecular cloning of the helicase III gene

Helicase III from Escherichia coli has been purified to near homogeneity using single-stranded DNA-dependent adenosine nucleoside 5'-triphosphatase activity as an assay to monitor the purification. The denatured form of this 18.5-kilodalton polypeptide, isolated on a preparative polyacrylamide gel run in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, has been used as an antigen to direct the production of rabbit anti-helicase III antibodies. The antibodies obtained fail to inhibit directly either the helicase activity or the DNA-dependent adenosine nucleoside 5'-triphosphatase activity of helicase III. However, when the antigen-antibody complex is removed from solution by binding to Staphylococcus aureus cells with subsequent sedimentation, there is excellent correlation between the loss of both enzymatic activities and the loss of the helicase III polypeptide. The anti-helicase III antibodies have been used as a reagent to probe immunologically a library of E. coli DNA fragments inserted into the plasmid pBR322 for expression of the helicase III antigen. The gene encoding helicase III has been localized on a 2.0-kilobase pair PvuII-EcoRI fragment. Bacterial cells harboring a multicopy plasmid containing this fragment overproduce the helicase III antigen approximately 100-fold.     

Assimilation of single-stranded donor deoxyribonucleic acid fragments by nucleoids of competent cultures of Bacillus subtilis.

Lysates containing folded chromosomes of competent Bacillus subtilis were prepared. The chromosomes were supercoiled, as indicated by the biphasic response of their sedimentation rates to increasing concentrations of ethidium bromide. Limited incubation of the lysates with increasing concentrations of ribonucleases resulted in a gradual decrease in the sedimentation velocity of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) until finally a constant S value was reached. Incubation with sonicated, 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen-monoadducted, denatured, homologous donor DNA molecules at 37 degrees C and concomitant irradiation with long-wave ultraviolet light of the nucleoid-containing lysates resulted in the formation of complexes of the donor DNA molecules and the recipient chromosomes. This complex formation was stimulated when nucleoids were previously (i) unfolded by ribonuclease incubation, (ii) (partially) relaxed by X irradiation, or (iii) subjected to both treatments. Monoadducts were not essential. On the other hand, the complex-forming capacity of recipient chromosomes previously cross-linked by 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen diadducts was greatly reduced, suggesting that strand separation of the recipient molecule was involved in the formation of the complex. None of these effects has been observed when heterologous (Escherichia coli) donor DNA has been used. When the same kind of experiments were carried out at 70 degrees C, donor-recipient DNA complexes were also formed and required strand separation and homology similar to donor-recipient complex formation at 37 degrees C. However, in contrast to what was found at 37 degrees C, unfolding plus relaxation of the nucleoids, as well as the absence of monoadducts in the donor DNA fragments, resulted in a decrease in complex formation. On the basis of these results, we assume that superhelicity can promote the in vitro assimilation of single-stranded donor DNA fragments by nucleoids of competents B. subtilis cells at 70 degrees C, but that at 37 degrees C a different mechanism is involved.     

Deoxyribonucleic acid single-strand-specific endonucleases in human cells: partial purification of a salt-resistant endonuclease with an acidic isoelectric point

A second endonuclease with DNA single-strand specificity has been purified from KB cells, a continuous line of hunan epithelial cells. In contrast to other mammalian enzymes that cleave single-stranded DNA, this enzyme has an acidic isoelectric point (6.5 +/- 0.2). Its pH optimum is 9.5, it requires Mg2+ of Mn2+ for activity, and it has a sedimentation coefficient of 3.2 S, based on sucrose gradient centrifugation. The enzyme specifically catalyzes the endonucleolytic cleavage of synthetic DNA homopolymers and denatured viral DNA but does not attack linear duplex viral DNA. The rate of hydrolysis of poly(dT) is approximately 8-fold greater than that observed with denatured DNA. The relative rates of hydrolysis of homopolymers by the endonuclease are poly(dA) greater than poly(dT) greater than poly(dC) greater than poly(dG). Unlike other DNA single-strand-specific endonucleases isolated from human cells, this endonuclease is relatively insensitive to inhibition by KCl.     

Rapid preparation of vector-free hybridization probes suitable for screening recombinant libraries

A procedure is described to rapidly prepare radioactively labeled DNA inserts from crude recombinant plasmid DNA preparations. These probes can subsequently be used to identify homologous nucleotide sequences in bacteria containing recombinant plasmids by colony hybridization. In a single procedure, crude recombinant plasmid DNA is both ³²P-labeled and fragmented by nick-translation in the presence of sufficient pancreatic DNase I to produce radioactive DNA of about 0.2–0.3-kb single-strand length. At this DNA fragment length the majority of the vector and insert sequences are on different DNA fragments. The insert DNA can then be separated from vector and contaminating Escherichia colt host chromosomal DNA by the following method. The DNA fragment population is first denatured and renatured under conditions such that the recombinant plasmid DNA reassociates but host DNA does not. The renatured plasmid DNA fragments are separated from the denatured host DNA by hydroxylapatite chromatography. The plasmid DNA fragments are then denatured and renatured with an excess of insert-free vector DNA. Conditions are chosen such that the insert DNA remains single-stranded while the vector DNA becomes double-stranded. The single-stranded insert DNA can be separated from the double-stranded vector DNA on hydroxylapatite and used directly for colony hybridization.     

Processing of branched DNA intermediates by a complex of human FEN-1 and PCNA.

In eukaryotic cells, a 5' flap DNA endonuclease activity and a ds DNA 5'-exonuclease activity exist within a single enzyme called FEN-1 [flap endo-nuclease and 5(five)'-exo-nuclease]. This 42 kDa endo-/exonuclease, FEN-1, is highly homologous to human XP-G, Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD2 and S.cerevisiae RTH1. These structure-specific nucleases recognize and cleave a branched DNA structure called a DNA flap, and its derivative called a pseudo Y-structure. FEN-1 is essential for lagging strand DNA synthesis in Okazaki fragment joining. FEN-1 also appears to be important in mismatch repair. Here we find that human PCNA, the processivity factor for eukaryotic polymerases, physically associates with human FEN-1 and stimulates its endonucleolytic activity at branched DNA structures and its exonucleolytic activity at nick and gap structures. Structural requirements for FEN-1 and PCNA loading provide an interesting picture of this stimulation. PCNA loads on to substrates at double-stranded DNA ends. In contrast, FEN-1 requires a free single-stranded 5' terminus and appears to load by tracking along the single-stranded DNA branch. These physical constraints define the range of DNA replication, recombination and repair processes in which this family of structure-specific nucleases participate. A model explaining the exonucleolytic activity of FEN-1 in terms of its endonucleolytic activity is proposed based on these observations.     

Characterization of the enzymatic properties of the yeast dna2 Helicase/endonuclease suggests a new model for Okazaki fragment processing

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Dna2, which contains single-stranded DNA-specific endonuclease activity, interacts genetically and physically with Fen-1, a structure-specific endonuclease implicated in Okazaki fragment maturation during lagging strand synthesis. In this report, we investigated the properties of the Dna2 helicase/endonuclease activities in search of their in vivo physiological functions in eukaryotes. We found that the Dna2 helicase activity translocates in the 5' to 3' direction and uses DNA with free ends as the preferred substrate. Furthermore, the endonucleolytic cleavage activity of Dna2 was markedly stimulated by the presence of an RNA segment at the 5'-end of single-stranded DNA and occurred within the DNA, ensuring the complete removal of the initiator RNA segment on the Okazaki fragment. In addition, we demonstrated that the removal of pre-existing initiator 5'-terminal RNA segments depended on a displacement reaction carried out during the DNA polymerase delta-catalyzed elongation of the upstream Okazaki fragments. These properties indicate that Dna2 is well suited to remove the primer RNA on the Okazaki fragment. Based op this information, we propose a new model in which Dna2 plays a direct role in Okazaki fragment maturation in conjunction with Fen-1.     

On the Nature of Recombinants Formed during Transformation in Hemophilus influenzae

During the process of transformation in Hemophilus influenzae integration of donor DNA, i.e. the formation of recombinant DNA, involves the incorporation of single-stranded DNA. Evidence was obtained from cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation of DNA from donor-recipient complexes that integration was accompanied by the formation of hybrid DNA with a density intermediate with respect to heavy, ²H, ¹⁵N, donor and light, ¹H, ⁴N recipient DNA. On denaturation the position of the heavy donor DNA moved closer to, but not all the way toward, the density position of the original donor DNA. In addition to supporting the idea of single-stranded incorporation, this evidence suggested that the integrated donor DNA was covalently linked to light recipient DNA. The DNA was taken up in the double-stranded form and no detectable amounts of denatured DNA could be found during the transformation process. However, during the process of integration an amount of donor atoms, equivalent to the amount of hybrid DNA formed, appeared in recipient DNA, and indicated that while one strand of DNA was integrated the other was broken down and resynthesized. The density of the hybrid DNA, as well as rebanding of denatured hybrid, indicated that the size of the integrated piece of DNA was large, approximately 6 x 10⁶ daltons.     

Partial purification and properties of an endonuclease from germinating pea seeds specific for single-stranded DNA.

An enzyme that rapidly catalyzes the hydrolysis of denatured DNA has been partially purified from germinated pea (Pisum sativum) seeds. The nuclease has been characterised as having endonucleolytic activity degrading single stranded DNA at a 15- to 20-fold higher rate than native DNA. From exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-200 the molecular weight of the enzyme was calculated to be 42,000. The small extent of hydrolysis of native DNA is suggested to be due to the degradation of partially denatured areas in the native molecule. The enzyme shows activity over a broad range of pH but was most active between pH 6.5 and 8.0. The maximum hydrolysis of denatured DNA was observed at 45 °C while with native DNA the temperature optima was 60 °C. The nuclease does not show an absolute requirement for added divalent cations. However, the addition of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ results in 40 and 60% stimulation, respectively. EDTA has no effect on enzymatic activity, whereas 8-hydroxyquinoline was inhibitory.     

Concerted nicking of donor and chromosomal acceptor DNA promotes homology-directed gene targeting in human cells

The exchange of genetic information between donor and acceptor DNA molecules by homologous recombination (HR) depends on the cleavage of phosphodiester bonds. Although double-stranded and single-stranded DNA breaks (SSBs) have both been invoked as triggers of HR, until very recently the focus has been primarily on the former type of DNA lesions mainly due to the paucity of SSB-based recombination models. Here, to investigate the role of nicked DNA molecules as HR-initiating substrates in human somatic cells, we devised a homology-directed gene targeting system based on exogenous donor and chromosomal target DNA containing recognition sequences for the adeno-associated virus sequence- and strand-specific endonucleases Rep78 and Rep68. We found that HR is greatly fostered if a SSB is not only introduced in the chromosomal acceptor but also in the donor DNA template. Our data are consistent with HR models postulating the occurrence of SSBs or single-stranded gaps in both donor and acceptor molecules during the genetic exchange process. These findings can guide the development of improved HR-based genome editing strategies in which sequence- and strand-specific endonucleolytic cleavage of the chromosomal target site is combined with that of the targeting vector.     

Properties of a purified rat-liver nuclease

1. The pH optimum, ionic requirement and heat-stability of a purified liver nuclease have been examined with RNA and denatured DNA as substrates. 2. The enzyme attacked DNA and RNA in an endonucleolytic manner, forming oligonucleotides terminated by 5′-phosphate groups. No clear specificity was found with respect to the bases at the site of cleavage. 3. Comparison of the results obtained with RNA and denatured DNA as substrates suggests that the ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease activities are associated with the same protein.     

Isolation and characterization of small heat-stable acid-soluble DNA-binding proteins from Bacillus subtilis nucleoids

Small heat-stable, acid-soluble proteins (HASP) have been isolated from Bacillus subtilis nucleoids obtained from cell lysates of low ionic strength and lysozyme concentration. They were identified by their ability to bind homologous and heterologous native and denatured DNA. Four major species, of 8.5, 12, 23 and 26 kDal, were found. Their affinity for DNA was moderate as measured by the sensitivity to ionic strength of the DNA-protein complex (0.1-0.4 M-NaCl). Partial digestion by micrococcal nuclease of the 'low ionic strength nucleoids' released a DNA fragment of 80-120 bp. The data reported here indicate that small basic proteins, together with other components such as RNA, cations and polyamines, may be involved in the compaction of the prokaryotic genome.     

Cellular site in Bacillus subtilis of a nuclease which preferentially degrades single-stranded nucleic acids

Birnboim, H. C. (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, N.Y.). Cellular site in Bacillus subtilis of a nuclease which preferentially degrades single-stranded nucleic acids. J. Bacteriol. 91:1004-1011. 1966.-A nuclease, identified by a marked preference for single-stranded nucleic acids, has been demonstrated in extracts of Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme was associated with the cell wall-membrane fraction of mechanically disrupted cells and was released from cells which had been converted to protoplasts by lysozyme. The nuclease activity prepared by the latter procedure was found to be activated and solubilized by treatment with trypsin. The enzyme had about 2% activity on native deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as compared with denatured DNA. By use of CsCl analytical density gradient ultracentrifugation, this preparation was shown to degrade denatured DNA selectively in mixtures of native and denatured DNA.     

The A* protein of phi X174 is an inhibitor of DNA replication

Extracts prepared from phi X174 infected E. coli cells inhibited in vitro RF replication The inhibition was dependent upon the presence of A* protein in the reaction and served as an assay to highly purify the A* protein. Purified A* protein bound tightly to duplex DNA as well as single-stranded DNA. The binding of the A* protein to duplex DNA inhibited (I) its single-stranded DNA specific endonucleolytic activity; (II) in vitro synthesis of viral (+) single stranded DNA on an A-RFII DNA complex template; (III) ATP hydrolysis by rep protein and unwinding of the strands of RF DNA. We propose that this inhibitory activity is responsible in vivo for the shut off of E. coli chromosome replication during phi X174 infection, and has a role in the transition from semiconservative RF DNA replication to single-stranded DNA synthesis in the life cycle of phi X174.     

Biochemical analysis of the substrate specificity and sequence preference of endonuclease IV from bacteriophage T4, a dC-specific endonuclease implicated in restriction of dC-substituted T4 DNA synthesis

Endonuclease IV encoded by denB of bacteriophage T4 is implicated in restriction of deoxycytidine (dC)-containing DNA in the host Escherichia coli. The enzyme was synthesized with the use of a wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system, given a lethal effect of its expression in E.coli cells, and was purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme showed high activity with single-stranded (ss) DNA and denatured dC-substituted T4 genomic double-stranded (ds) DNA but exhibited no activity with dsDNA, ssRNA or denatured T4 genomic dsDNA containing glucosylated deoxyhydroxymethylcytidine. Characterization of Endo IV activity revealed that the enzyme catalyzed specific endonucleolytic cleavage of the 5′ phosphodiester bond of dC in ssDNA with an efficiency markedly dependent on the surrounding nucleotide sequence. The enzyme preferentially targeted 5′-dTdCdA-3′ but tolerated various combinations of individual nucleotides flanking this trinucleotide sequence. These results suggest that Endo IV preferentially recognizes short nucleotide sequences containing 5′-dTdCdA-3′, which likely accounts for the limited digestion of ssDNA by the enzyme and may be responsible in part for the indispensability of a deficiency in denB for stable synthesis of dC-substituted T4 genomic DNA.     

Single-stranded bacteriophage T5 stO DNA as template for in vitro fMet-tRNA binding to ribosomes and protein synthesis.

Good evidence is provided that fMet-tRNA binding and aminoacid incorporation, when single-stranded DNA is used instead of mRNA in an E. coli cell-free system, are strictly dependent on the magnesium concentration. Ten sites homologous to the initiation sites of translation can be detected on denatured T5 stO DNA when using ribosomes and initiation factors from uninfected E. coli F. In S-30 extracts, at high magnesium concentrations and in the presence of neomycin, initiation of the translation of denatured T5 stO DNA begins anywhere on the molecule, and yet high molecular weight polypeptides are synthesized. The template potentiality of the denatured T5 stO DNA decreased when using ribosomes plus initiation factors and crude extracts from T5 stO-infected bacteria. By in vitro formation of initiation complexes sites analogous to initiation sites of translation were localized on T5 stO DNA molecules using single-stranded fragments separated by sedimentation in alkaline sucrose gradient.     

Biochemical mechanism of DSB end resection and its regulation

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in cells can undergo nucleolytic degradation to generate long 3′ single-stranded DNA tails. This process is termed DNA end resection, and its occurrence effectively commits to break repair via homologous recombination, which entails the acquisition of genetic information from an intact, homologous donor DNA sequence. Recent advances, prompted by the identification of the nucleases that catalyze resection, have revealed intricate layers of functional redundancy, interconnectedness, and regulation. Here, we review the current state of the field with an emphasis on the major questions that remain to be answered. Topics addressed will include how resection initiates via the introduction of an endonucleolytic incision close to the break end, the molecular mechanism of the conserved MRE11 complex in conjunction with Sae2/CtIP within such a model, the role of BRCA1 and 53BP1 in regulating resection initiation in mammalian cells, the influence of chromatin in the resection process, and potential roles of novel factors.