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Biomedical subjects

R R Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to R R Meyer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Suppression of the Escherichia coli ssb-1 mutation by an allele of groEL.

A series of spontaneous suppressors to the temperature-sensitive phenotype of the single-stranded DNA-binding protein mutation ssb-1 were isolated. A genomic library of EcoRI fragments from one of these suppressor strains was prepared by using pBR325 as the cloning vector. A 10.0-kilobase class of inserts was identified as carrying the ssb-1 gene itself. A second class of 8.3-kilobase inserts was shown to contain the groE region by (i) restriction analysis, (ii) Southern hybridization of the 8.3-kilobase insert to groE+ DNA, and (iii) identification of the gene products by similar migration on polyacrylamide gels. Subcloning demonstrated that an intact mutant groEL gene was necessary for suppression and that plasmids carrying the 8.3-kilobase insert could suppress mutants carrying groES- but not groEL- genes for phage lambda growth. The suppressor, designated as groEL411, was specific for the ssb-1 allele. In ssb-1 groEL411 cells, DNA synthesis stopped after a shift to 42.5 degrees C but rapidly recovered within minutes. The data suggest a direct interaction between the single-stranded DNA-binding protein and GroEL proteins in DNA replication.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Purification and characterization of an inorganic pyrophosphatase from the extreme thermophile Thermus aquaticus.

An inorganic pyrophosphatase was purified over 600-fold to homogeneity as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme is a tetramer of Mr = 84,000, has a sedimentation coefficient of 5.8S, a Stokes radius of 3.5 nm, and an isoelectric point of 5.7. Like the enzyme of Escherichia coli, the pyrophosphatase appears to be made constitutively. The pH and temperature optima are 8.3 and 80 degrees C, respectively. The Km for PPi is 0.6 mM. A divalent cation is essential, with Mg2+ preferred. The enzyme uses only PPi as a substrate.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Variability in the nucleic acid binding site size and the amount of single-stranded DNA-binding protein in Escherichia coli.

The Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB), essential for DNA replication, recombination and repair, can undergo a thermally induced irreversible conformational change which does not eliminate its biological activity, but changes the number of nucleotides it covers (binding site size) when binding to a single-stranded nucleic acid lattice. The binding site size of native and conformationally changed SSB was also found to be a function of the molecular mass of the polynucleotide, an observation which is unusual for single-stranded DNA binding proteins and will greatly affect the affinity relationship of this protein for nucleic acids. A radioimmunoassay used to quantitate in SSB level in cells revealed the number of SSB tetramers to be larger than initial estimates by a factor of as much as six. All these data suggest that the biological role of SSB and its mechanism of action is by far more complex than originally assumed.

Binding Sites↗

A new DNA-dependent ATPase from Escherichia coli. Purification and characterization of ATPase IV.

A new DNA-dependent ATPase named ATPase IV has been purified to apparent homogeneity from Escherichia coli as a by-product of DNA polymerase III purification. The enzyme has a specific activity of 360 mumol of ATP hydrolyzed per min/mg of protein. The purified enzyme exists as monomer with a molecular weight of 81,000. It sediments in a glycerol gradient as a single species of 4.5 S. The enzyme has considerable activity at 0 degree C and has a Q10 of 3.8. In the presence of a DNA effector and magnesium ion, the enzyme will hydrolyze ATP, dATP, GTP, or dGTP to a nucleoside diphosphate plus orthophosphate with a Km of 0.20, 0.50, 0.60, and 1.30 mM, respectively. The guanine nucleotides, however, are only 25-35% as effective as substrates compared with the adenine nucleotides. ATPase IV shows strong substrate inhibition by ATP, but not dATP, above 0.2 mM. The polynucleotide effector requirement can be satisfied by either single-stranded or double-stranded DNA. The enzyme binds the effector very tightly with a Km of 3 X 10(-8) M (nucleotide) for G4 DNA. The enzyme is inhibited by E. coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein, a variety of ATP analogues and N-ethylmaleimide. The relationship of ATPase IV to DNA polymerase III holoenzyme is discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

A novel single-stranded DNA-binding protein from the Novikoff hepatoma which stimulates DNA polymerase beta. Purification and general characterization.

We have isolated and purified to homogeneity a novel single-stranded DNA-binding protein from the Novikoff hepatoma. This protein is distinguished from other eukaryotic DNA-binding proteins by binding weakly, but cooperatively, to single-stranded DNA, by its ability to partially destabilize a double helix at 37 degrees C, and by its ability to stimulate DNA polymerase beta. The protein exists as a globular monomer of Mr = 48,000 and is capable of binding 45-49 nucleotides. It does not form a complex with the polymerase, but binds the DNA template, allowing an increased rate and extent of DNA synthesis. The enhancement of synthesis is greatest with larger gap-sized templates and with low polymerase concentrations. The mechanism of stimulation is thought to be due largely to placing the template strand into a conformation that facilitates rapid polymerization rather than strand displacement in advance of the polymerase. This protein has been named SSB-48.

Amino Acids↗

Deoxyribonucleic acid dependent adenosinetriphosphatases from the Novikoff hepatoma. Characterization of a homogeneous adenosinetriphosphatase that stimulates DNA polymerase beta.

Five chromatographically distinct DNA-dependent ATPase activities have been identified in high salt-detergent extracts of the Novikoff hepatoma. One of these, ATPase III, has been purified to apparent homogeneity as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and has a specific activity of 12 mumol of ATP hydrolyzed min-1 (mg of protein)-1. The enzyme, a dimer of Mr 65000 subunits, has a sedimentation coefficient of 7.0 S in both high salt and low salt, a Stokes radius of 43 A, and a frictional coefficient of 1.31. In the presence of Mg2+ ion and a polynucleotide effector, the enzyme catalyzes hydrolysis of ATP or dATP to a diphosphate with a Km of 206 microM and 110 microM, respectively, for the two substrates. Although single-stranded effectors are preferred, the enzyme has significant activity with double-stranded effectors. The Km for effector is 0.4 microM (nucleotide). The analogues adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S), dideoxyadenosine triphosphate (ddATP), and adenosine 5'-(alpha, beta-methylenetriphosphate) (alpha, beta-Me-ATP) are competitive inhibitors of the enzyme while adenosine tetraphosphate (ATP-P), 8-bromoadenosine 5'-triphosphate (8-Br-ATP), 5'-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP), and adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-methylenetriphosphate) (beta, gamma-Me-ATP) do not inhibit. The enzyme is insensitive to nalidixic acid, novobiocin, and berenil but is sensitive to N-ethylmaleimide. ATPase III is capable of stimulating DNA polymerase beta on duplex DNA, but this effect is abolished in the presence of ATP gamma S. Polymerase stimulation is further enhanced in the presence of a single-stranded DNA-binding protein. These data suggest that ATPase III may play a role in DNA repair.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Influence of single-stranded DNA-binding protein on recA induction in Escherichia coli.

Two ssb mutants of Escherichia coli, which carry a lesion in the single-strand DNA-binding protein (SSB), are sensitive to UV-irradiation. We have investigated the influence of SSB on the "SOS" repair pathway by examining the levels of recA protein synthesis. These strains fail to induce normal levels of recA protein after treatment with nalidixic acid or ultraviolet light. The level of recA protein synthesis in wild-type cells is about three times greater than ssb cells. This deficiency in ssb mutants occurs in all strains and at all temperatures tested (30-41.5 degrees). In contrast, the ssb-1 mutation has no effect on temperature-induced recA induction in a recA441 (tif-1) strain. Cells carrying ssb+ plasmids and overproducing normal DNA-binding protein surprisingly are moderately UV-sensitive and have reduced levels of recA protein synthesis. Together these results establish that single-strand DNA-binding protein is involved in the induction of recA, and accounts, at least in part, for the UV sensitivity of ssb mutants. Three possible mechanisms to explain the role of SSB are discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The product of the lexC gene of Escherichia coli is single-stranded DNA-binding protein.

Extracts from lexC113 cells could not support phage G4 DNA-dependent replication unless supplemented with single-stranded DNA-binding protein. Purified lexC113 binding protein supported synthesis in a reconstituted replication assay, using purified proteins at 30 but not at 42 degrees C, indicating that the product of the lexC113 gene is an altered single-stranded DNA-binding protein.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Interaction of mammalian deoxyribonuclease V, a double strand 3' to 5' and 5' to 3' exonuclease, with deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase-beta from the Novikoff hepatoma.

Novikoff hepatoma stimulatory factor IV has been resolved from the DNA polymerase-beta on a single-stranded DNA-cellulose column and then purified to > 95% homogeneity on hydroxylapatite. A single band of Mr = 12,000 is found on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Addition of factor IV to a DNA synthesis reaction causes (i) an increase in initial velocity, (ii) a prolongation of linear synthesis, and (iii) an increase in extent of incorporation. In the absence of factor IV, the reaction reaches a plateau in approximately 1 h. Factor IV, added at this point, causes resumption of synthesis with kinetics similar to when factor IV was present from the start. When factor IV is present, synthesis is followed by DNA degradation, indicating nuclease activity. Factor IV is shown to be an exonuclease which hydrolyzes double-stranded substrates in both the 3' to 5' and 5' to 3' directions at similar rates. Factor IV interacts with the 3.3 S beta-polymerase forming an aggregate sedimenting at 4.1 S and containing both polymerase and exonuclease activities. Analysis of fractions containing a beta-polymerase . exonuclease complex on polyacrylamide gels suggests a stoichiometry of 1:1. The exonuclease shows a strong preference for double-stranded substrates and is most active on poly(dA-dT). It can hydrolyze chains containing either a 3'- or 5'-phosphoryl or a 5'- or 3'-hydroxyl terminus. The product of digestion is predominantly 5'-nucleoside monophosphates. The enzyme cannot hydrolyze di- or trinucleotides, lacks RNase-H activity, and will not liberate thymine dimers from UV-irradiated DNA. The exonuclease has an alkaline pH optimum and requires a divalent cation. Since the properties of this exonuclease are unlike those of previously described mammalian DNases, we have named this enzyme mammalian DNase V.

Animals↗

A temperature-sensitive single-stranded DNA-binding protein from Escherichia coli.

A temperature-sensitive single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) has been purified from mutant Escherichia coli (ssb-1) cells by use of affinity chromatography on blue dextran-Sepharose. An altered amino acid sequence in the mutant protein is apparent in tryptic digests, confirming that the ssb mutation is in the structural gene. The mutant protein is less effective than the wild type in protecting single-stranded DNA from nuclease S1 digestion and in inhibiting DNA-dependent ATPases. The purified protein supports replication of phage G4 DNA in vitro at 30 degrees C, although higher levels of mutant protein, 4-fold higher than wild type, are needed to do so. The mutant protein becomes less active in supporting replication above 30 degrees C and becomes inactive at 42 degrees C within 1 min. Activity is restored upon return to 20 degrees C. Despite its temperature sensitivity in vivo and in vitro, the mutant binding protein can renature fully after exposure to 100 degrees C. Thus, the mutant protein is both heat-stable and functionally temperature-sensitive.

DNA Helicases↗

Complement activation induced by rabbit rheumatoid factor.

Rabbit rheumatoid factor produced in animals by hyperimmunized with group C streptococcal vaccine activated guinea pig complement. Anti-streptococcal serum was fractionated by Sephacryl S-200 chromatography into excluded (19S) and included (7S) material and examined for hemolytic activity in a sensitive homologous hemolytic assay system. In the presence of complement, both 19S and 7S antistreptococcal serum fractions induced lysis of bovine (ox) erythrocytes coated with mildly reduced and carboxymethylated rabbit anti-erythrocyte immunoglobulin G. That rabbit rheumatoid factor was responsible for the observed hemolytic activity was substantiated by hemolytic inhibition assays. Significant inhibition of hemolysis was effected when antistreptococcal serum fractions were incubated in the presence of human immunoglobulin G, rabbit immunoglobulin G, and Fc, whereas, no inhibition was detected when the same fractions were tested in the presence of rabbit Fab or F(ab')2 fragments. Deaggregation of inhibitor preparations revealed a preferential reactivity of rheumatoid factor for rabbit immunoglobulin G. In addition to the rheumatoid factor-dependent hemolytic activity observed in humoral preparations, immunoglobulin G-specific antibody-forming cells in spleen and peripheral blood lymphocyte isolates were enumerated by plaque-forming cell assay.

Animals↗

Single-strand binding protein enhances fidelity of DNA synthesis in vitro.

The effect of Escherichia coli single-strand binding protein on the accuracy of in vitro DNA synthesis has been determined by using two independent methods. By using the synthetic polynucleotide poly[d(A-T)] and measuring dGTP misincorporation or by using phi X174 DNA and measuring nucleotide substitutions, we found that binding protein increases the fidelity of DNA synthesis by as much as 10-fold. This increase is observed with DNA polymerases of divergent sources and is progressive with increasing concentration of binding protein. The increased accuracy observed with DNA polymerases lacking a 3' leads to 5' exonuclease points to a mechanism other than augmented proofreading. In accord with the properties of single-strand binding proteins, it is suggested that increased fidelity is a result of enhanced base selection by the DNA polymerase, resulting from increased rigidity of the template due to its interaction with binding protein.

Base Sequence↗

An Escherichia coli mutant defective in single-strand binding protein is defective in DNA replication.

An Escherichia coli mutant, temperature-sensitive for DNA synthesis in vivo and in vitro, is defective in single-strand binding protein (SSB; DNA-binding protein). Conversion of phage G4 single strands to the duplex form is defective in crude enzyme fractions of the mutant and is complemented by pure wild-type SSB. Radioimmunoassays of mutant extracts show normal levels of material crossreacting with anti-SSB antibody. SSB purified to homogeneity from the mutant is active, with lower specific activity, in the reconstituted G4 replication assay at 30 degrees C, but virtually inactive at 42 degrees C. Surprisingly, the mutant protein, like the wild-type protein, survives heating at 100 degrees C. Thus, mutant SSB is structurally heat-resistant but is functionally thermosensitive in vitro and in vivo. Both the in vivo and in vitro defects are tightly linked in transductions by phage P1. The mutation in the binding protein, designated ssb-1, is located between 90 and 91 min on the E. coli genetic map.

Coliphages↗

Mutant single-strand binding protein of Escherichia coli: genetic and physiological characterization.

A mutation in the Escherichia coli gene for single-strand binding protein results in temperature-sensitive deoxyribonucleic acid replication (R. R. Meyer, J. Glassberg, and A. Kornberg, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76:1702-1705, 1979). The mutant (ssb-1) is also more sensitive to ultraviolet irradiation and about one-fifth as active in recombination. Single-strand binding protein is thus implicated in repair and recombination as well as in replication. The mutation in ssb is located between uvrA and melA at 90.8 min on the genetic map. The ssb gene appears to be allelic with lexC, a gene with a proposed role in regulating inducible deoxyribonucleic acid repair.

Bacterial Proteins↗