Specialized nucleoprotein structures at the origin of replication of bacteriophage λ: Localized unwinding of duplex DNA by a six-protein reaction

M. Dodson, H. Echols, S. Wickner, C. Alfano, K. Mensa-Wilmot, B. Gomes, J. LeBowitz, J. D. Roberts, R. McMacken

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93 Scopus citations

Abstract

The O protein of bacteriophage λ localizes the initiation of DNA replication to a unique site on the λ genome, oriλ. By means of electron microscopy, we infer that the binding of O to oriλ initiates a series of protein addition and transfer reactions that culminate in localized unwinding of the origin DNA, generating a prepriming structure for the initation of DNA replication. We can define three stages to this prepriming reaction, the first two of which we have characterized previously. First, dimeric O protein binds to multiple DNA binding sites and self-associates to form a nucleoprotein structure, the O-some. Second, λ P and host DnaB proteins interact with the O-some to generate a larger complex that includes additional DNA from an A + T-rich region adjacent to the O binding sites. Third, the addition of the DnaJ, DnaK, and Ssb proteins and ATP results in an origin-specific unwinding reaction, probably catalyzed by the helicase activity of DnaB. The unwinding reaction is unidirectional, proceeding 'rightward' from the origin. The minimal DNA sequence competent for unwinding consists of two O binding sites and the adjacent A + T-rich region to the right of the binding sites. We conclude that the λ O protein localizes and initiates a six-protein sequential reaction responsible for but preceding the precise initiation of DNA replication. Specialized nucleoprotein structures similar to the O-some may be a general feature of DNA transactions requiring extraordinary precision in localization and control.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7638-7642
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume83
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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